Using a spirometer to increase lung capacity

An incentive spirometer is a handheld breathing device. You breathe in slowly through a mouthpiece so a marker or piston rises. The movement gives you visual feedback about the depth of your breath. It is commonly used when pain, illness, surgery, or long periods in bed make people breathe shallowly. The exercise may help move air into areas of the lungs that are not being fully used and may reduce the effect of prolonged shallow breathing.

The device is different from spirometry, a breathing test that measures airflow and lung volumes. It is not a substitute for treatment of asthma, infection, smoking-related lung disease, or another cause of breathlessness.

Sit upright and relax your shoulders. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece, breathe in slowly and steadily, then hold the breath briefly if your clinician has advised this. Remove the mouthpiece and breathe out normally. Rest between breaths if you feel light-headed. Follow the frequency and target set by your healthcare professional; forcing the marker upward can cause coughing or dizziness. Keep the mouthpiece clean according to the device instructions, and stop if you develop chest pain or marked breathlessness.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, or chest pressure. Arrange medical review for a persistent cough, fever, wheezing, coughing blood, or a falling ability to complete usual activities. A clinician can decide whether a [Spirometer](/technology/spirometer/) is appropriate and explain [Spirometry](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/spirometry/) if a breathing test is needed.

Ask what breathing target is suitable for you, how often to use the device, whether pain control or chest physiotherapy would help, and which symptoms should prompt a same-day call.