What should you know about different types of spirometer?

A clinic spirometer may connect to a disposable mouthpiece and display results on a computer. Portable devices can be smaller and easier to use outside a clinic, while home monitoring tools may track selected readings over time. The device may measure forced vital capacity, the total air exhaled after a full breath, and forced expiratory volume, the amount exhaled during the early part of the manoeuvre. The numbers are meaningful only when the seal, effort and technique are acceptable.

Follow the testing centre’s instructions about meals, smoking, exercise and inhalers; do not stop prescribed medicine unless the clinician tells you to. Wear comfortable clothing and explain if coughing, chest pain or breathlessness makes forceful blowing difficult. During Spirometry, breathe in fully, seal your lips around the mouthpiece and blow hard and steadily when instructed. The manoeuvre may be repeated so the team can check consistency.

Brief coughing, light-headedness or chest tightness can occur after forceful breathing and should be reported immediately. Stop and tell the clinician if you feel faint or develop significant pain. Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, blue lips, chest pain that does not settle, fainting or sudden worsening after leaving. A spirometer result is one part of assessment and does not by itself name a disease.

Which measurements will this device record? Should I use my inhaler before testing? How will technique affect the result? Do I need repeat testing? What do the findings mean alongside my symptoms?