HOW TO USE A PEAK FLOW METER:
A peak flow meter helps you check how well your asthma is controlled. It can help guiding your physician to better managing your asthma.
Use it every day, and keep track of the results to help your doctor learn about your asthma.
This may also help you determine if your asthma is getting worse, even before you have symptoms.
First, push the indicator to the bottom of the scale.
Stand up straight. Take a deep breath, breathing in as much as you can.
Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth. Close your lips around it. Do not put your tongue inside the hole or block the vents in the back.
Blow out as hard and fast as you can. You want to move the marker as far as you can with your breath, so concentrate on exhaling forcefully and quickly.
Move the marker back to the bottom, and repeat these steps two more times. (If you cough or make a mistake, do not include this as one of your three tries).
Record the highest of the three numbers in your peak flow diary.
Keep record of the numbers according to the scheduled frequency.
Establishing your personal best reading
Your predicted “normal” peak flow is determined by height, age and gender.
However, it is preferable to gauge asthma control by comparing daily peak flow recordings with your “personal best” reading. The personal best peak flow is the highest peak flow number a patient can achieve over a 2-3 week period when his or her asthma is under good control.
To determine your personal best:
Always use the same peak flow meter
Record your peak flow twice a day for two weeks
Ignore outlying values
Personal best values will change as children grow taller and as disease status changes. Your physician will periodically readjust your personal best.
