Segmented into hospitals, home care settings, industrial settings, and clinical laboratories, spirometers are found anywhere and everywhere.
Due to the advancement in technology and the increase in lung-related diseases, spirometers have brought great revolutionary change to the medical world.
Other indicators such as that respiratory diseases and an increase in the aging population have led to this solution being used widely all around the world.
With characteristics such as being easily available, affordable, and an effective contributor, the spirometer gained popularity quite quickly.
Spirometers – What You Need to Know
Spirometers measure almost three of four lung volumes, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory reserve volume, and tidal volume.
However, it can’t measure residual value. In total we have four lung capacities that are the following; inspiratory capacity, functional residual capacity, total lung capacity, and vital capacity.
The main job of a spirometer is to test pulmonary function which is a measure of the volume of exhaled air in comparison to the period. One of the most important jobs done by spirometers is to calculate the total exhaled volume.
What Are They Made of
Spirometers come in various types and forms. The most well-known are; Incentive spirometer (for teenagers), a Fully electronic spirometer, a Peak flow meter, a Windmill-type spirometer, Pneumotachometer, and a whole-body plethysmograph.
Taking a look at the incentive spirometer is made up of hollow, clear plastic and has a tube with a mouthpiece attached to it. A full electronic spirometer is made out of the same things including an electronic device to measure airflow etc.
How Are They Used
A spirometer is recommended to be used under/professional supervision.
To start the process, the healthcare provider will set a marker for the patient. The patient is required to keep a blue disc, that comes with the spirometer, at your marker for as long as it is possible.
While doing so the patient is supposed to keep breathing for measurement purposes.
Furthermore, the patient is supposed to do the following;
- Maintain a straight and tall posture
- Keep breathing in intervals
- Make sure the mouthpiece is perfectly secured in your mouth
- Use the mouthpiece to breathe slowly, the same way you would do with a straw
- Repeat the process. The recommended breaths are 10 breaths every hour.
When Do You Need One
Spirometers are particularly useful when it comes to a lung condition or your doctor thinks you are at a high risk of developing a certain lung condition.
People who have difficulty breathing are recommended to use spirometers every day until they’re able to take full, un-restricted breaths.
Moreover, a person who underwent an injury that damages their lungs is also asked to use a spirometer to improve their lung health.
How Spirometers Are Changing The Medicine Industry
This respiratory therapy device has changed the lives of many.
Imagine you were diagnosed with a disease and your doctor of course put you on certain medications to heal your pain and eradicate the disease.
However, among all of this, how will your doctor or you would know that the medication is working?
One way is to get frequent blood tests done. However, that is not an effective and cost-effective way. And that is where the use of spirometers comes.
Spirometers are a great way of finding out whether a certain medication is working or not. Hence, it can be said that the effect of certain medications can be assessed and whether further supervision on the matter is needed or not.
Furthermore, via a spirometer, your doctor will assess whether you’re fit to undergo surgery of any sort.
Spirometer has also made a great contribution towards keeping a check on labor that works in mines, factories, or primarily among many chemicals.
Spirometers will be used to see whether the chemicals or surroundings are affecting the health/lungs of the worker. A spirometer is also used widely after surgery.
Following are the uses of a spirometer after surgery;
- Helps in avoiding lung complications: A spirometer allows the patient to take full, deep breaths. What it does is clear up any remaining fluids that will steer away situations like that of pneumonia.
- A spirometer plays a great role in making sure the effect of anesthesia wears off quicker than it would under normal circumstances.
- Last but not least, a spirometer plays a great hand in improving the lung ventilation of the patient in question. It contributes towards creating ease in breathing air in and out.
Market For Spirometers
According to a market survey done, the spirometer is expected to reach a value of USD 1,285 million by 2025. In the year 2020, this value was recorded to be USD 799 million, which equals a CAGR of 11.1%.
The pandemic that hit the world at the end of 2020 played a great role in increasing the demand market for spirometers as there were worldwide disruptions in the health sector.
One of the main reasons why there has been such a rapid increase in spirometers and their related instruments is because of a large increase in respiratory diseases.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is another widespread disease that needs the intervention of therapy done via a spirometer.
A spirometer allows the doctors to assess the severity of the disease and helps greatly in finding and implementing misdiagnoses. North America is reported to have the largest regional market for spirometers.
Final Words
The value and importance of spirometers can be judged from all the information given above. And its advantages can’t be stressed enough.
Healthcare providers that are recommending spirometer therapy to their patients should make sure that the patients have adequate coaching on how to use this instrument.
Furthermore, it should be noted that it is important for the patients to have adequate knowledge of the right technique.
But before this process of providing the information is carried out, it’s important to purchase and own a spirometer that is of high quality and extremely reliable.
In such a case, there’s no one better than AKW Medical. Their years-old legacy has ensured quality products for everyone!
