Peak Flow Meter
A peak flow meter is a device that you can easily use at home. The peak flow meter measures how much air you can push out of your lungs with maximum effort. Using a peak flow meter can help you assess how open you or your child’s airways are.
Peak flow meters come in different sizes and shapes. They are hand held, portable and easy to use. Children older than 4-5 years of age who have Asthma generally can use this.
Using a peak flow meter at home each morning and night can help you and your child manage your asthma in the following ways:
* Warn you and your child that an asthma episode is looming often times before you or your child has any asthma symptoms.
* Provide a way of tracking you or your child’s response to their asthma medications.
* Provide an educational tool for both you or your child about what works in terms of treatment (asthma medications) and what “triggers” make your asthma flare-up.
How you or your child should use a peak flow meter:
-- Move the marker to 0 or to the lowest point / position on the scale. Stand. If you can’t stand, be sure to sit up nice and straight. Use the same position (sit/stand) every time you use the peak flow meter.
-- Suck in as deep and as big a breath as you can. Fill up your lungs.
-- Put the mouthpiece of the peak flow meter in your mouth between your teeth. Close your lips tightly around it. Be sure your tongue does not block the opening. Blow into the mouthpiece, hard and fast as if you are trying to blow out your birthday candles.
-- Take the peak flow meter out of your mouth. Look at the marker. It should have moved along the numbered scale. Write the number down. Move the marker back to zero or the lowest point on the scale
-- Repeat the same procedure two more times.
-- Write down the highest of the three numbers. This is your peak flow meter number. Record the number.
Peak Flow Meter Set-Up:
Green Zone: Under Control
When you’re in your green zone, you feel good,Your asthma doesn’t get in the way of work, activities, play or sleep.
Yellow Zone: Caution
When you’re in your yellow zone, your airways are becoming swollen, inflamed, and narrower. You may be coughing, wheezing, short of breath and your chest might feel “tight”. You may need to step up your medication temporarily. Contact your physician.
Red Zone: Medical Alert
When you are in your red zone, you or your child is having an asthma attack. You are most likely coughing, wheezing and having a lot of trouble breathing. Stop and take action, NOW. If your readings are in the red zone, use your quick acting bronchodilator (rescue medicine) immediately and contact your physician.