What is Incentive Spirometry?
Incentive
Spirometer is a tool for breathing exercise that helps in the expansion of the lungs & improve your lung capacity.
it is a vital tool before and after thoracic
and abdominal surgery.
Who should do this exercise?
It
is not mandatory for all. The incentive spirometer should be used if :
·
You have undergone chest or abdomen surgery.
·
You are going to have chest or abdomen surgery.
·
You are on bed rest.
What
happens to your lungs when you are given general anesthesia or asked to take
bed rest?
The
lung tissues are made up of many air sac
(alveolar sacs), which are fully expanded during normal breathing. During surgery, when anesthesia is given, it changes the regular pattern of breathing, the absorption of gases and pressures,
which may cause secretions (phlegm/ mucus) to stay in your lungs and
collapse the air sacs. This situation is called atelectasis. After surgery as
well as during bed rest, it is common for you to take shallow breaths because
of pain or limited mobility. Almost everyone who has undergone the surgery has
some atelectasis from anesthesia.
Same happen when one is on bed
rest for a long time.
This may cause difficulty in respiration and increase the hospital stay.
How
Deep Breathing and Coughing prevent or reverse the above situation?
Taking
deep breaths may help in reverse or
decrease the chance of developing breathing problems.
Deep
breathing
·
Moves air down to the bottom areas of the lungs.
·
Opens air passage and let the mucus out
·
Helps the blood and oxygen supply to your lungs, boosting
circulation
·
Lowers the risk of lung complication such as pneumonia and
infections.
Coughing
helps bring up mucus from deep within the lungs. As you do breathing
exercises, you may feel this in the back of your throat to hear a rattling
sound when you breathe.
Not
only this, incentive spirometry also helps in assessing the status of your
respiratory efforts and depth of breathing.
What are the benefits of doing this
exercise before surgery?
For
your surgery you are anesthetized anesthesia that suppress the respiratory
centre and ventilator support is required or respiration. After surgery
anesthetist reverses the anesthesia, makes you awake and reduces the ventilator
support.
Doing
chest exercises before surgery benefits in many ways .if you have done chest
exercises adequately before your surgery
·
the chances o reducing the ventilator support are increased.
·
the chances of
having lung complications reduces
significantly.
·
recovery after surgery
is hastened.
How many types of Incentive Spirometer
(breathing machine) are available in the market?
There
are many types of incentive spirometer available in the market. Their designs
vary from one manufacturer to another. But all spirometers have two main parts :
Mouth Piece and Pistons. (see figure)
How to Perform the Spirometry in right way?
Turn the page and see the images carefully and try to
perform as per given instructions. If you have any doubt or difficulty, feel
free to ask your Nurse or Doctor.
What are the precaution you should
take while using incentive spirometer?
· Avoid inappropriate technique, excessive/ overexertion
may cause hyperventilation that may result in giddiness
· Less use or poor efforts may make the exercise
ineffective.
· Take your time and spend 5 to 10 minutes in every hour to complete 10 to 15 cycles.
· Do not tire or exhaust yourself.
How often should patient spend doing these exercises?
· After surgery or chest infections there are
excessive secretions in your respiratory
passage. To remove them and prevent complications do it 10 to 15 times and
repeat it every hour while you are awake.
Initially you may find these
exercises difficult, but if you keep
practicing them, they become easier as
your muscles gain strength.
· If you have a
chronic respiratory condition and feeling
well, 10 minutes will be long enough to ventilate lungs and clear any
phlegm and repeat this 4-5 times a day.
Final Words : This
exercise alone may not improve the chest condition. Early mobilization, cough,
steam inhalation and Chest physiotherapy are equally important. If you do not
notice any no phlegm/ sputum, still remember to cough out.
Do not get disheartened If you are not able to lit the balls of spirometer Keep practicing, slowly you will see the positive result. Do this exercise honestly and ensure your recovery.