Monitoring your Response
to Treatment.
What is peak flow?
Peak flow is the measurement of how effectively air moves our of your lungs. A peak flow meter monitors your asthma the way a blood pressure cuff monitors your blood pressure.
Measuring peak flow helps determine any narrowing in your airways before you have an actual attack. This allows you to take your medicine before a serious attack develops.Why is peak flow monitoring so important?
Peak flow monitoring allows you and your doctor to manage your condition effectively. It gives an accurate picture of your condition that allows your doctor to make appropriate decisions regarding the effectiveness of your medicine plan and treatment plan.
Other benefits of peak flow monitoring include the following:
~Helps you decide whether your condition is serious enough to seek emergency treatment.
~Allows you to detect early stages of airway obstruction to start immediate treatment.
~Gives you an accurate picture of the variations in your condition over a 24-hour period. This permits your doctor to prescribe treatment when you need it the most.
~Helps you differentiate between airway obstruction and other causes of breathlessness like hyperventilation.
~Allows you to ascertain specific allergens, irritants, or workplace exposures that may cause your symptoms to develop.
~Enables you to communicate more effectively with your doctor so that he or she can provide guidance over the phone if needed.
~May be an effective detector to monitor whether your asthma symptoms have stabilized, improved, or deteriorated/worsened.How to use your peak flow meter.
Most adults and young children can use a peak flow meter. All it requires is a short, hard blow of air into the meter.
To take your peak flow reading:
1. Make sure that the indicator is at the bottom of the numbered scale.(figure 1)
2. Stand up (see figure 1).
3. Breathe in as deeply as you can.
4. Close your lips around the mouthpiece, forming a tight seal. Do not put your tongue inside the mouthpiece.
(figure 2)
5. Blow out as hard and as fast as you can. Take note of the reading (see figure 2).
(figure 3)
6. Follow these instructions two more times and record the highest of the three readings on the chart. (see figure 3).The Peak flow zone system.
Your personal best is your highest peak flow reading when your asthma is under good control. By knowing your personal best, a treatment plan can be developed for you based on "zones" that are set up like traffic lights. For Example:
Green--Good Control Zone--Your peak flow is 80% to 100% of your personal best. Continue taking your medications as directed by your healthcare professional.
Yellow--Caution Zone--Your peak flow is 50% to 80% of your personal best. Follow your healthcare professional's instructions on what to do.
Red--Danger Zone--Your peak flow is below 50% of your personal best. You must immediately follow your healthcare professional's instructions on what to do.
My personal best ____________
Green Zone_________________
Yellow Zone_________________
Red Zone___________________How do I keep track of my peak flow readings?
It is important to keep a daily diary of your peak flow readings so that you and your doctor can better evaluate your treatment plan. This information can help you to effectively control your condition and lead a more active, healthy live.
This information is provided to us by Schering/Key and Glaxo INC. Printed in 1995. Remember to ask your doctor for more information and follow their instructions.
Beginning Facts about Asthma
Facts about Asthma page 2
Facts about Asthma page 3
Facts about Asthma page 4
Nocturnal Asthma
Managing your child's Asthma
Peak flow meters
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