“How To Use An Incentive Spirometer?” Asks Janice
I just received a great email from Janice about directions for the incentive spirometer after heart valve surgery in which the heart-lung machine was used.
She writes, “Hi Adam - I just read your blog about the incentive spirometer, fluid in the lungs and pneumonia. I’m 64 and going in for mitral valve repair next week. I’m curious to know how patients actually use the spirometer. Can you help me prepare? Thanks, Janice”.
In the past, I would immediately direct Janice to a blog titled, “How To Use An Incentive Spirometer?”. Today, however, I decided to see if there were any online videos that could help Janice out. It took about five minutes, but I was lucky to find a pretty good video that addresses Janice’s question. Although the production of this video is relatively amateur-ish, the quality of instruction is very good. That said, I hope you enjoy it.
FYI, if you have never heard of an incentive spirometer before, patients use this breathing tool after cardiac bypass surgery to (i) prevent pneumona, (ii) reduce fluid in the lungs and (iii) protect the alveoli.
Alveoli Shown In Respiratory Tract
I hope this helps!
Keep on tickin!
P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.
About The Author: Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. This unique book integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of 78 former valve surgery patients to help patients and caregivers better understand the problems, the opportunities and the realities of heart valve surgery. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Janice:
After my mitral valve repair surgery, I was very compliant about using the spirometer during the 8 days I was in the hospital (due to Adam’s book!). I had no pulmonary issues while in the hospital, despite being asthmatic.
However, I became more lax about using it at home. I developed a mild (but scary and painful) case of pleural effusion. It disappeared when I went back to hourly use of the spirometer.
When I vacationed in Florida 6 weeks after my surgery, I began to experience the symptoms of pleural effusion again. I had brought the spirometer with me and, once again, when I increased my use of it, the symptoms were immediately alleviated.
Lesson I learned: use the spirometer as often as recommended by your doctor!!
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
hI REbecca,
Thank you, so much for sharing! I had open heart surgery on 10/2/09 and I am at home recovering and I also used the spirometer in the hospital and it helped…but I am not using it as much now and I am going to start using it more and packing it with me , if I go away. I am afraid of coughing still and I find if i use the spirometer more at home, my breathing feels better.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Absolutely use one and stick with the instructed cycles, how many and how often.
I still use it twice a day, 9 months after aortic valve replacement and am up to 4000ml!
Believe it also helps one avoid getting serious colds and/or keeping the ashma in check.