What is a breath rate monitor?
Breath rate monitor is a device that is used to measure the rate of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your breath. This device can be helpful in a variety of circumstances, including athletes, people with sleep disorders, kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who need to focus their breathing, and those who are diagnosed with asthma or COPD.
The breath rate monitor uses this information to give you data that may help you know when things are going well or not so well while you are doing an activity or trying to achieve a goal.
People with COPD may be advised by their doctor to use a breath rate monitor. This device can help your doctor see how well you are doing in managing the disease, especially if he or she has you charting your data. If you have asthma and your physician is prescribing a certain medication, the physician can see how well it is working and ensure that you do not have any adverse reactions to it.
The breath rate monitor also may help with relaxation techniques. Some techniques are based on the premise that knowing your resting and exercising rates will help you achieve a state of rest or activity quickly. For instance, if you know how fast your resting rate is, it should be easier to remain relaxed during some activities. However, this technique may not work for everyone.
The breath rate monitor can help you with sleep disorders as well. It will allow you to know when you need to be alert or when it is time to sleep. The monitor can tell you how much of your sleep is spent in light and deep stages of sleep.
Breathing disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can cause trouble with breathing. While many people with these conditions can use inhalers, some may need to use a device like a breath rate monitor in order to maintain their condition.
How does the breath rate monitor work?
The device consists of three main parts: a mouthpiece, two on-body sensors that are connected to the device and a monitor that is plugged into an electrical outlet. The monitor displays your breathing data as a graph. The breath sensor and the mouthpiece are worn around the neck or on your forehead. The connectors fit snugly to ensure good contact with your skin.
The mouthpiece is used to measure your breathing rate. You will wear the mouthpiece throughout your exercise regimen. It is designed to fit snugly over your teeth and gums without causing discomfort.
The device measures information about the oxygen content of your breath and how well you are breathing (your minute volume). The monitor does not actually measure carbon dioxide levels, but tests show that the data it provides correlate with carbon dioxide concentrations.
The breath rate monitor has been on the market since 1998. It is sometimes referred to as a “breathalyzer.” The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a Class I device because it does not require special handling or disposal.
How effective is the breath rate monitor in giving accurate measurements?
The breath rate monitor is effective, but it depends on how well it fits you. The mouthpiece has to fit snugly over your teeth and gums so that there is no extra room for air.