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Fit the T-piece onto your tracheostomy tube. Breathe normally. The T-piece should not make it hard for you to breathe through your trach tube.
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Inhale normally. Relax and breathe out.
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Hold the incentive spirometer upright.
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Breathe in slowly and deeply, inhaling as much air as you can. Most spirometers have an indicator to let you know that you are breathing in too fast. If the indicator shows that you are breathing too fast, breathe in more slowly.
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Breathe in long enough to keep the balls (or disk) raised for at least 3 seconds.
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Do this exercise several times every hour while you’re awake or as often as your healthcare provider tells you to.
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If you were also taught coughing exercises, do them regularly as instructed.