What is a flutter valve? A flutter valve is a one-way valve used in respiratory medicine to prevent air from traveling back along a chest tube.
Continue reading to learn more and we’ll cover all the essential details!
Table of Contents
What is a Flutter Valve?
A flutter valve is a small, handheld device that is used to help clear mucus from the lungs. Patients with cystic fibrosis frequently receive this form of oscillatory PEP therapy.
A steel ball that is in motion is inside the triangular-shaped device. High-frequency oscillations are produced when you exhale into the flutter valve while facing back pressure. This action aids in breaking up the mucus to make it easier to clear.
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Parts of Flutter Valve
A flutter valve is made up of the following parts:
- Removable mouthpiece
- Body
- Steel ball
- Expiratory resistance dial
- One-way valve
- 22 mm O.D. connection
The mouthpiece, which is connected to the body, receives the exhalation of the user. High-frequency oscillations are produced as a result of the steel ball rattling.
To increase or decrease the amount of backpressure, one can adjust the expiratory resistance dial. When you inhale, the one-way valve stops air from entering the apparatus.
How to Use a Flutter Valve Or Acapella?
The steps for using a flutter valve or acapella device are as follows:
- Assemble the device.
- Put yourself in the right spot. While the acapella may be used in any position, the flutter valve must be held upright..
- Take a deep breath.
- Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal it tightly.
- Exhale slightly more quickly than usual while fighting backpressure.
- The device should be adjusted to produce as many vibrations as possible that can be felt in the lungs.
- Perform up to 10 exhalation maneuvers into the device by repeating step 5 one more time.
- Finish with a couple of maximal expiratory attempts through the apparatus. This entails taking a deep breath in and then breathing out as quickly as you can.
- Cough up secretions to remove them.
- For four to eight cycles, repeat this procedure.
FAQs
How Often Should You Do Flutter Valves?
This should be done 2-4 times during the course of a day. The best time to use these devices is immediately following a breathing treatment if you receive one. When you feel like you need to cough but are unable to do so, you can also use this technique as needed.
How Do You Breathe With a Flutter?
Take a deeper-than-usual inhalation by breathing slowly through your nose. To allow your lungs to fill properly, pause for two to five seconds. To feel the tremors in your chest, exhale slowly and steadily through the Flutter.
