The Use of Spirometers in Medical Practice
What is a Spirometer? Spirometry is the measure of lung function, or in simple terms it is a measure of how well your lungs work.
It measures the volume and speed of air that can be breathed in and out.
A device called a Spirometer is used to measure the inhalation and exhalation of air.
This information can then be used to create a pneumotachograph, which is useful in assessing conditions that affect lung function, such as asthma, lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
A Spirometer is a device with an attached mouthpiece which you blow into.
The device then records the results.
Small portable spirometers are available and will often be used in doctor's surgeries.
More complex devices can be found in hospitals where more detailed readings can be taken.
What is it for? The use of a Spirometer is a very common test of lung function and will probably be used if you go to your GP with any chest or lung symptoms.
It can be used to assist in diagnosis of illnesses like asthma, or to monitor breathing issues, for example with lung disease and also to monitor how effective any treatments are.
How is the test done? The test is carried out by the patient taking a deep breath and then forcefully breathing out into the mouthpiece of a spirometer as quickly as possible, making sure to empty the lungs.
The device will then measure the volume of air and how quickly it was exhaled.
The test may be carried out a few times to ensure the readings are consistent.
The results will then be compared to the average for the patient's age, sex, height and race.
A reading of below 80% of the average could indicate some problem with lung function and further tests may be needed to achieve a diagnosis.
What is the history? The first recorded use of spirometry goes back as far as the period of 129-200 AD.
A Dr Claudius Galen carried out an experiment on the measurement of human ventilation in which a boy was asked to breathe into a bladder, and it was discovered that the volume of air did not change.
Further developments in this arena took place through the generations, but it was not until the 1840s that the first spirometer was invented, by a surgeon named John Hutchinson who believed there was a link between 'vital capacity' and health and life expectancy.
These days spirometers are used to diagnose and monitor many conditions, and the technology has advanced to achieve more detailed results based on individual variables.
It measures the volume and speed of air that can be breathed in and out.
A device called a Spirometer is used to measure the inhalation and exhalation of air.
This information can then be used to create a pneumotachograph, which is useful in assessing conditions that affect lung function, such as asthma, lung disease and cystic fibrosis.
A Spirometer is a device with an attached mouthpiece which you blow into.
The device then records the results.
Small portable spirometers are available and will often be used in doctor's surgeries.
More complex devices can be found in hospitals where more detailed readings can be taken.
What is it for? The use of a Spirometer is a very common test of lung function and will probably be used if you go to your GP with any chest or lung symptoms.
It can be used to assist in diagnosis of illnesses like asthma, or to monitor breathing issues, for example with lung disease and also to monitor how effective any treatments are.
How is the test done? The test is carried out by the patient taking a deep breath and then forcefully breathing out into the mouthpiece of a spirometer as quickly as possible, making sure to empty the lungs.
The device will then measure the volume of air and how quickly it was exhaled.
The test may be carried out a few times to ensure the readings are consistent.
The results will then be compared to the average for the patient's age, sex, height and race.
A reading of below 80% of the average could indicate some problem with lung function and further tests may be needed to achieve a diagnosis.
What is the history? The first recorded use of spirometry goes back as far as the period of 129-200 AD.
A Dr Claudius Galen carried out an experiment on the measurement of human ventilation in which a boy was asked to breathe into a bladder, and it was discovered that the volume of air did not change.
Further developments in this arena took place through the generations, but it was not until the 1840s that the first spirometer was invented, by a surgeon named John Hutchinson who believed there was a link between 'vital capacity' and health and life expectancy.
These days spirometers are used to diagnose and monitor many conditions, and the technology has advanced to achieve more detailed results based on individual variables.
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