There are many medical devices that were discovered to help improve people’s health. One of the most important devices available is the incentive spirometer. This is small, portable and very easy to use breathe regulating device. This is helpful for patients having breathing problems. The mouthpiece in the device is attached to approximately eight inches tube. When the person inhales the piston rises, measuring the volume of air that the person inhales. Most of these devices have a coach indicator which moves when the inhalation occurs and the movement of the small ball will let you know if the inhalation is slow or fast.
Important Uses of Incentive Spirometer
This device is use to assist patients in detecting various respiratory issues which usually occurs after surgery or when there is a lung blood clots. This is good for those who are suffering from clots because most of them find it difficult to breathe on their own. The physician will use the incentive spirometer to reduce the risk for a patient to be exposed to respiratory problems like pneumonia. Moreover, this is also a great device that enables a person to provide a healthy exercise to the lungs helping him to take a deep breath slowly and allows the lungs to take in more oxygen.
How to Use the Device
When you use an incentive spirometer for the first time, you must ensure that you are following the demonstration given to you by your doctor. Follow instructions carefully as to when or how many times you should use it. Here are simple steps that you can follow to effectively use the incentive spirometer.
- Make yourself comfortable as you lie upright by sitting in the edge of your bed or chair. In this way you can assure that you can breathe smoothly.
- Hold the device upright so that it will show the exact result when you start to inhale.
- Take a breath normally and tightly close your lips around the mouthpiece of the device and slowly inhale with your mouth. The piston on the chamber of the incentive spirometer will then rise if you are breathing too fast.
- Breathe in consistently and try to raise the piston to the highest level and read if you have reached the maximum volume. In many cases this attempt will make you cough but it is normally helpful because this will open up your lungs.
- If you are unable to breathe anymore, take it away from your mouth and breathe out slowly. Hold your breath for about 3 to 5 seconds. Breathe normally so that the piston will return down to the lowest level.
- Slowly deep in and breath out for 10 seconds and try to cough after so that the secretions that build up in your lungs will be removed. You can repeat all these steps every 2 hours or according to your physician’s advice.
Sometimes doing an exercise with a spirometer can be a little painful to your lungs. Do not hesitate to ask pain killers to your physician if needed. Use the device frequently when recovering at home or any other places to keep your lungs clear.
Author Bio: Kevin is a medical expert and a part time writer. He lost both parents who both suffered lung cancer. This is the reason why he started to write blogs and articles to a website where he recommends people with breathing problems to take incentive spirometry test.
