What should you know about tri ball spirometer?

The device has a mouthpiece, a chamber and visual markers. Sitting upright, you seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in slowly. The balls respond to the speed of airflow; they are a guide to the effort and steadiness of your breath, not a diagnosis or a measure of lung health by themselves. Your clinician may set a target for how high the balls should rise.

Keep the device upright. Breathe out normally, place the mouthpiece in your mouth, then inhale slowly enough to lift the balls while keeping the indicator in its target zone. Hold the breath briefly if your care team has advised this, remove the mouthpiece, and rest. Repeat only as directed. Clean the mouthpiece according to its instructions and do not share it.

Stop and seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, fainting, new confusion or chest pain. Contact your clinician if using the device causes persistent dizziness, wheezing, pain or coughing, or if you cannot reach the target after repeated attempts.

Ask how often to practise, what target is appropriate for you, whether you should hold each breath, and how to clean or replace the device. Ask which symptoms should prompt a review.