For anyone living with asthma or other respiratory issues, or who has a family member with this type of problem, there is often a need to monitor the condition. One possibility to discuss with a doctor is the use of Spirometers. These devices come in a variety of sizes, and many offer an ease of use that can accommodate someone with a limited knowledge of medical equipment. Spirometers are diagnostic tools many physicians use to determine the progress of pulmonary problems and to assess the need of treatment.

Spirometers can provide an accurate measure of the volume of air an individual can breathe in and out. These devices also measure the rate or how fast a person can inhale and exhale. With the help of a doctor, it is possible to use Spirometers to measure these rates and to have a better understanding of the condition. It's also possible to pass on information regarding the effect of new medication, or how symptoms of a condition can vary throughout a day or evening. Spirometers can also offer peace of mind for those concerned about a given set of symptoms, or whether an attack of symptoms could be occurring.

These devices have been in use for many years, helping those with respiratory illness monitor and track breathing problems. John Hutchinson, who developed a version of the device that used water to measure lung capacity in 1852, created the first of the devices that came to be known as Spirometers. While his ideas were an exploration of his theory regarding height and lung capacity, it was quickly perceived by doctors that Spirometers could have an application in monitoring and treating ailments of the lung. Newer devices are naturally more evolved and much smaller than Hutchinson's original design.

Today's Spirometers were developed for many functions, but their primary use is to determine an individual's lung capacity and respiration strength. In other words, Spirometers measure how deeply someone can inhale and the amount of force they can use to exhale. In conditions such as asthma, in which both the ability to inhale and exhale can be compromised, this is a key measurement that can allow doctors and patients to know if a medication is working well, even during times where there are only a few symptoms, or at times when a serious attack is not taking place. If someone were to register a poor air volume in the lungs, or if he or she had less than efficient inhale-exhale abilities, then a doctor could use this information to better evaluate the condition.

It is always a good idea to speak to the treating doctor before purchasing medical devices. Spirometers such as the MicroDirect and MicroPlus Spirometers are available at Medical Device Depot, and these are simple enough to use in the home. This device is specifically designed for those requiring low cost Spirometers that are easy to use. Unlike some more complex Spirometers, the MicroPlus measurements are simple to obtain and displayed on a large liquid-crystal display. When needing to monitor for asthma or other conditions, this type of spirometer can be very effective.