Most people who have asthma only take a spirometry (lung function test) occasionally, during a doctor’s appointment and monitor their lung condition at home with a peak flow meter. Now, however, it is possible to take a spirometry test at home, too. Follow these steps and get as reliable spirometry results as possible with KAMU Spiro!
1. Preparing for spirometry
Don’t take a spirometry if you’re ill – for example, if you have a flu, wait until you’re feeling better. If you are unsure if your condition allows you to take a spirometry test, consult your doctor first. When you decide to take a spirometry, make sure your clothes aren’t restricting your breath and that the mouthpiece of KAMU Spiro is clean and dry.
2. Take a deep breath…
Sit or stand up straight with a good posture and turn on KAMU Spiro. Inhale, taking as much air in your lungs as possible, and hold your breath. Then take the mouthpiece in your mouth and bite it lightly. Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece, so that all the air you blow goes through the mouthpiece.
3. …and exhale all the air out
Now, exhale all the air out of your lungs as rapidly and as forcefully as you can. Keep blowing as long as possible, to get as good a picture as possible of your lung condition. For an adult, the spirometry test should last 6 seconds – KAMU Spiro will beep at this time. At the end of the exhalation, you may feel like there’s no more air to breathe out, but there’s still a small breeze, so keep blowing in the spirometer until you hear the beep.
4. Checking your spirometry results
When you’re done with the spirometry, you’ll immediately see two values on the spirometer’s screen: your FEV1 value and a percentage showing how you performed compared to your all time best FEV1 result. In addition, the spirometer shows you the possible problems with your technique, such as exhaling too lightly or hesitating before starting the test. With this feedback, you can learn to take the spirometry better and get more reliable results.
You can view all the values that KAMU Spiro measures (FEV1, FEV6, FEV1/FEV6, FVC and PEF) when you upload the results from the spirometer to KAMU Asthma app. The results will be synchronized automatically when you pair KAMU Spiro with your smartphone. To get the most out of KAMU Asthma service, take a spirometry test at least twice a week and track your medication usage, asthma symptoms and asthma triggers daily in the app. Read more about KAMU Asthma here.
