- #Normal peak flow how to#
- #Normal peak flow series#
look at the pointer and check your reading. then blow as hard as you can – as if you were blowing out candles on a birthday cake – remember it is the speed of your blow that is being measured. take a deep breath and close your lips firmly around the mouthpiece. hold the peak flow meter level (horizontally) and keep your fingers away from the pointer. preferably stand or sit in a comfortable, upright position. The differences between each reading will show whether your asthma is being properly controlled. You can use the interactive asthma diary to plot the results on a chart, which you can then print out and take to your next appointment with your doctor or nurse. It is common for morning readings to be lower than evening readings. This will help to show how your asthma varies from the beginning to the end of the day. You should take three readings every morning and evening, before using your inhaler. #Normal peak flow series#
Instead it is best to take a series of peak flow readings over a few weeks.
#Normal peak flow how to#
How to use a peak flow meterĪ single reading is not very useful in helping decide how well your asthma is under control. Your doctor or asthma nurse can advise you about your probable best peak flow reading. However, a person's peak flow could be less than this and still be completely normal.
a child who is between 6 and 15 years of age and 4'7" (140cm or 1.40m) tall, to have an average peak flow of 254 litres per minute. a 40-year-old woman, who is 5'2" (157cm or 1.57m) tall, to have an average peak flow of 427 litres per minute. a 25-year-old man, who is 6'1" (185cm or 1.85m) tall, to have an average peak flow of 627 litres per minute. Peak flow readings also vary from person to person, so it is difficult to say exactly what a person's best peak flow should be. If you use a peak flow meter your readings will vary according to your age, height and whether you are male or female. It's more important to concentrate on getting a child to take their medication effectively first. Your doctor or practice nurse will be able to see how well you have been.Ī peak flow meter can be used by most adults and children over six years of age.Ĭhildren under six years of age are not usually prescribed peak flow meters because they might confuse the blowing out for a peak flow reading with the sucking in of their inhaler medication. You will know whether you need to change your treatment. You can find out if your treatment is having the effect it should on your asthma. You will be able to tell what is going on in your airways rather than just guessing by the way you feel. Peak flow readings are measured in litres per minute and it is important that you get to know your best peak flow. The better controlled your asthma, the harder you will be able to blow out and the higher your peak flow score will be. The meter has a marker that slides up the scale as you blow out. In simple terms this means how hard and quickly you blow air out of your lungs. 
Your doctor should normally state the make and type on your prescription, but the manufacturer of the peak flow meter is not important because they all do the same thing, which is measure your expiratory flow rate. Low range peak flow meters are designed for adults with low readings, and for children.Standard range peak flow meters are suitable for both adults and children.There are several different makes of peak flow meter and two different types known as low and standard range. You can also purchase one from a pharmacy. Some people may find it useful to have a peak flow meter to help them manage their asthma, so you could ask your doctor to prescribe one for you. Peak flow meters are available on NHS prescription in the UK.
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