|
A peak flow meter is used by asthmatics to control and prevent future asthma attacks. When the peak flow meter is used properly, this easy to use hand-held device can help you to determine how well your lungs are actually functioning. It does this by measuring your lung capacity. A peak flow meter will help you to identify your optimal peak flow rate and when you keep track of your readings each day in a diary, a peak flow meter can help you to track changes. Tracking changes helps you to identify when an asthma attack is likely to occur or already starting. By working with your doctor, you can put an asthma management plan.
A typical asthma management plan includes:
* Having you watch for warning signs of asthma by using a peak flow meter to measure your lung capacity.
* Having you record your peak flow meter readings, asthma attacks and possible triggers.
* Having your medicine available for preventing or controlling an asthma attack when it is about to start or already starting.
* Having a set plan for when to call your doctor depending on the severity of your asthma attack.
The peak flow meter is found to be the very best device to use for people that are trying to deal with living with asthma. To be specific, the peak flow meter measures the maximum speed at which you can exhale air from your lungs. When an asthma attack is beginning or during an occurring asthma attack, the flow of exhaled air is slowed because the airways in your lungs are somewhat blocked and tight.
The peak flow meter can help detect an asthma attack up to twenty-four hours before symptoms even appear! This also helps determine what is triggering your asthma attack because sometimes symptoms do not appear until the next day so pinpointing a trigger would be difficult. Identifying triggers is essential to controlling your asthma.
Most peak flow readings are taken two or three times a day. They should definitely be taken once in the morning after you wake up and at least once again right before you go to bed. Other readings can be taken throughout the day depending on how you feel you are breathing or if you were exposed to triggers that started asthma attacks in the past.
There are three zones that the peak flow meter readings are grouped in. Once you and your doctor have determined what your “personal best” peak flow is, you can figure out where your zones are.
GREEN ZONE- 80 to 100 percent of your personal best
YELLOW ZONE- (warning) 50 to 80 percent of your personal best
RED ZONE- (danger!) 50 percent or less of your personal best
Each time you take a peak flow meter reading, you should record it in a daily asthma diary. Write down your reading, what medicine you took, any attack symptoms and what you think may have triggered your attack. When you see that an attack is starting, you can take your medication and prevent it from happening. Bring this diary with you to your doctor each time you go.
| 
