Right for Your Child?
Nearly all asthma experts agree that PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate) monitoring can help improve your child's ability to understand and control his/her asthma. A peak flow meter measures the force with which your child can expel air from his/her lungs.
Some of the benefits of PEFR monitoring include:
Providing an objective measure of lung function
Detecting problems before they become more serious
Helping your doctor as well as an educated parent or caregiver decide when and how to modify treatment
Helping to determine when emergency treatment is needed
Giving children a "feel" for when their asthma is under control - or out of control
Helping your child communicate with his / her physician about asthma
** Reminder, most bad outcomes result from getting help too late **
If your child isn't doing regular peak flow monitoring now, why not ask your doctor if they feel it can enhance your child's asthma control?
Peak Flow Monitoring Instructions
A peak flow meter is a device that measures how your asthma is doing. The procedure includes blowing as hard and fast as you can so that the fastest rate of air flow from your lungs can be determined. Your peak flow meter will be a reliable tool to help you assess your asthma and prevent asthma episodes from occurring. It can be the most important tool in managing your asthma. Small lung changes can be detected hours or even days before you feel symptoms.
Directions
- Stand up straight
- Slide the marker to the bottom of the numbered scale.
- Take a very deep breath
- While holding your breath place the mouthpiece in your mouth securing your lips firmly around it. Keep your tongue away from the mouthpiece.
- Blow your air out as hard and fast as you can through your mouth only. Don't let air out through your nose.
- Record the number that is indicated.
- Repeat steps 1-6 two more times and record the highest number. This number is your peak flow reading
Establishing Your Personal Best
To determine what your personal best peak flow is you will need to measure your peak flow over the next 2-3 weeks. During the time that you are establishing this, your asthma should be under good control. Be consistent as to when you check your peak flow. The recommended time is between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., after you have taken your quick relief medication. The highest number that you blow will become your personal best. You will want to share this information with your asthma doctor so that they can assist you in creating your peak flow zones and asthma action plan. Peak flow information can monitor the effectiveness of your treatment. Your personal best may not always be the same, consult with your doctor as to when it is recommended that you recheck your baseline.
Peak Flow Zones
The peak flow zones are divided into 3 categories and help you assess your asthma in an effort to keep it well controlled and help guide you as to what action is needed.
Green Zone: (80-100 % of your personal best) This signifies that you have good control.
Yellow Zone: (50-79% of your personal best) This signifies caution because your asthma is getting worse. You may have mild to moderate symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness. Use your quick relief medication as soon as possible to get your asthma back under control.
Red Zone: (50% of your personal best) This signifies that a medical alert. You may be very short of breath, coughing or have trouble walking or talking. Take your medication immediately and contact your doctor. Call 911 if you are struggling to breathe, you turn blue-ish purple on your lips or under your fingernails, or if 20 to 30 mins after taking extra medicine you don't feel better and your peak flow is still in the red zone.
