An incentive spirometer is a handheld medical device recommended by healthcare providers to help patients improve and maintain lung function. This simple tool encourages individuals to take slow, sustained, deep breaths to fully inflate the lungs. The device is commonly prescribed following surgery, particularly procedures on the chest or abdomen, or for individuals managing respiratory conditions like pneumonia. Using the spirometer helps prevent serious pulmonary complications, such as atelectasis, by ensuring proper lung expansion.
Understanding the Device and Its Purpose
The device most people use at home is a volume-oriented Incentive Spirometer (IS). Its primary mechanism is based on visual feedback, which motivates the user to achieve a deep and sustained inhalation. The spirometer consists of a clear plastic chamber, a flexible tube, and a mouthpiece that connects the user to the system.
Inside the main chamber, a piston, or float, rises as the user inhales, directly indicating the volume of air drawn into the lungs. A second, smaller chamber often contains a flow indicator, which helps the user monitor the speed of their inhalation. The goal of the device is to train the user to perform a slow, deep breath, ensuring the lungs are fully stretched to prevent fluid buildup and infection.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Effective Use
Effective spirometry begins with proper preparation. Sit upright in a chair or on the edge of a bed to allow for maximum chest and lung expansion. The device should be held upright at eye level, as tilting it will affect the accuracy of the volume measurement. Before beginning the therapeutic breath, it is helpful to exhale normally and completely to empty the lungs of residual air.
Next, the mouthpiece must be placed in the mouth, and the lips should seal tightly around it to prevent air leaks. The tongue should rest underneath the mouthpiece, ensuring the airway is not blocked. The subsequent step is a slow, steady inhalation through the mouthpiece, aiming to raise the main piston toward the goal marker set by the healthcare provider.
As the piston rises, the user must focus on keeping the small flow indicator within the designated target zone. This confirms the breath is slow enough to fully expand the deepest parts of the lungs. If the flow indicator rises too quickly, the user is inhaling too fast, and the breath will not be as effective for lung expansion. Once the user has inhaled as deeply as possible, reaching their maximum volume, they must hold their breath for a brief period, typically three to five seconds. This breath-holding interval is crucial as it allows the newly inspired air to circulate and open the small air sacs, or alveoli, deep within the lungs.
After the breath-hold, the mouthpiece is removed, and the user can exhale normally and gently. A deep cough is often encouraged after a set of repetitions to help clear any loosened mucus from the airways. It is important to rest for a few seconds between each repetition to prevent lightheadedness or dizziness before beginning the next slow, deep breath.
Monitoring Goals and Usage Schedule
The spirometer’s therapeutic benefit relies on consistent use and the setting of achievable goals. Your healthcare provider will set an initial volume target, marking the desired height on the main column with a slider or indicator. This target volume is often based on pre-surgery measurements, or estimated based on the patient’s age, height, and overall health status.
As lung capacity improves, the goal marker should be adjusted upward to continuously challenge the user and encourage further lung strengthening. A common usage regimen is performing a set of ten slow, deep breaths with the device every hour while awake. This consistent schedule promotes repeated lung expansion, preventing post-operative complications and improving overall function.
Tracking progress involves noting the highest volume achieved during a session and working to meet or exceed that number in subsequent repetitions. If the target volume is consistently met, the goal marker should be raised in consultation with a healthcare professional to maintain a therapeutic challenge. Maintaining the device’s hygiene is also an important part of the schedule, which involves regularly cleaning the mouthpiece with warm water and a mild soap to ensure sanitation.