Lungs at full volume

[Der Biermeister]

Morning all -- just an aside. I noticed about a week ago, when I was 8 weeks post-op, that I could pull 3750 ml on the spirometer. That puts me back to "normal". Not as a good as an Olympic swimmer, but I'll take it.

 

[lisa jeanne]

Take it DB!!

Take it DB!!

Wow! Good for you! Have a great day.

Lisa, snoopy, and riley

 

[Marguerite53]

That's great, Der Bier! (I, too, would call you DB if it weren't for the fact that in these parts....DB is the notorious DB Cooper and I would forever picture you with dark black sunglasses and no upper lip! Anyway, Der Bier sounds somewhat like De Beers so I can always think of your "sparkling" presence here.......... )

I always thought that when a person finally got back to "normal" on the spirometer, the little yellow thing would hit the top and you'd hear a bell ringing, like the strongman hammer thing at the county fair!!

I blew past 3000 the other day with ease and that really pleased me. I'm solid on the walking thing now, so maybe that is key rolleyes: ya think??). Personally, though, I still maintain it's the singing that keeps my lungs strong.

I suspect I won't be satisfied until I hear the "ding"!! Sounds like you're definitely good to go, though! Nice work, sir!!

Marguerite

 

[Adam T]

Spirometer question

Spirometer question

Is there a "good" number to achieve on the spirometer or is it purely an individual thing. You said 3750 was normal. Is that what I need to work toward?

 

[mntbiker]

I was wondering the same thing, I was not given any goal to achieve, I am currently hitting 3250 on mine fairly consistently but the first time of the day I am lucky to hit 3000. I know I jumped up a lot in the hospital each time I would use it I coughed up nasty stuff and would see a sudden large increase.

Suggestions??

 

[tclary1687]

What should be the goal for the spirometer? Alician did not use this before surgery, so we don't know what was normal for her. She is currently able to hit 2000 pretty consistently,but was wondering what should be her goal. Her surgery was June 7.

 

[Adam T]

I'm at 2750 consistantly, up from about 500 - 750 the day after surgery. Like I said, no really told me what I need to shoot for. I'm going to keep at it until I don't see any more improvement or until I peg the thing, I guess.

 

[Ross]

Individual results will vary. There is no real normal given that all of us built differently and our lung capacities are all different. I'll trade any of you! I haven't been able to do much of anything on that spirometer since 1995!

 

[tobagotwo]

Not at all to take anything away from DB's accomplishment, but remember that the inspirational spirometer is just a means to an end.

Your goal should be to use your whole lung capacity when you breathe, not just the 30% at the top of the lungs that most people use. Sit up straighter, take time to take full breaths every once in a while, and think about how you're breathing once in a while.

Above all, don't slouch in a "C" shape in that recliner!

Lung capacity shortly out of surgery can truly be a case of use it or lose it. Some members have actually permanently lost the use of small potions of the bottom of their lungs where they were folded a bit after surgery and didn't get filled up with air soon enough. The tissue just sticks together and mends shut.

Best wishes,

 

[Der Biermeister]

Some of you asked about what is normal? I think a little over 4000 is good for a young, somewhat athletic person -- this is what my son can do (age 35) and he used to be an accomplished swimmer and he's never smoked. Sorry -- I screwed this up. My son can bang the top -- which is 5000, not 4000.
Togago2 is correct -- everyone needs to be conscious of breathing correctly often during the day. Ever since my AI began, I've attempted to do just that and it's quite amazing how easy it is to slip back into bad habits and forget all about breathing deeply. Sometimes even now, when I've been walking down a hallway kind of fast, and realize I am a little short of breath, it dawns on me that I totally forgot to breath correctly.

Something we have to train ourselves I guess.

 

[Mary]

I asked my husband this question, and here's his reply.

Incentive spirometers come with a patient insert that has a nomogram (a graph with age, sex, height for the individuals) that will show what is normal for you. Unfortunately they are often pitched before the patient sees it. However, if the hospital is doing computer charting, often they will have the nomogram in their computer, and the respiratory therapist would be able to tell the patient what they should work towards.
A baseline figure for a 25-35 year old male is 3750 (+ or - 100).