Spiro check spirometer: what to know

A spirometer measures how much air you move and how quickly you move it during coached breathing manoeuvres. You usually breathe through a mouthpiece while seated, with a nose clip or a firm seal as directed. The operator may ask you to breathe normally, inhale deeply, and then blow out forcefully.

The check can help a clinician investigate breathlessness, cough, wheeze, or suspected airflow limitation. A single reading is interpreted alongside your symptoms, examination, medicines, and test technique. It is different from an incentive spirometer, which is used to practise deeper breathing rather than measure lung performance.

Wear clothing that allows your chest and abdomen to move freely, avoid a heavy meal immediately beforehand, and follow the clinic's instructions about inhalers. Tell the operator if you have chest pain, feel unwell, recently had surgery, or find forceful blowing difficult.

During the check, follow the coaching and give a full effort without straining beyond what feels safe. Several attempts may be requested so the team can judge consistency. Ask when and how the result will be explained rather than trying to diagnose yourself from one number.

Tell the clinician immediately if testing causes chest pain, severe breathlessness, faintness, or a sustained wheeze. Outside the appointment, urgent help is needed for sudden severe breathing difficulty, blue lips, confusion, or collapse. A gradual change in breathing also deserves a routine review.

Ask what the check is intended to investigate, whether you should use or pause any inhaler beforehand, and what the findings mean for your treatment. Ask whether repeat testing or another assessment is needed if the effort was limited by symptoms.