Peak Flow Monitoring
PEAK FLOW MONITORING
A peak flow meter is a device that measures how well air moves out of the lungs. A peak flow meter is used to manage exacerbations. A peak flow meter is used for daily long-term monitoring. A peak flow meter guides therapeutic decisions in the home, school, clinician’s office, or ED.
Use of Peak flow meter
Peak flow meter is used to monitor your asthma control, as BP instrument is used to monitor hypertension and Glucometer is used to monitor diabetes control.
The peak flows are put into zones that are set up like a traffic light. Each zone determines what medications to use and what to do when the peak flow number changes.
Green zone
Green zone Doing well no cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath during the day or night. Can do usual activity
Yellow zone
Yellow zone Asthma is getting worse Cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath during the day or night. Waking at night due to asthma Can do some, but not all, usual activities
Asthma is getting worse
Cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath during the day or night.
Waking at night due to asthma
Can do some, but not all, usual activities
Red zone
Yellow zone Asthma is getting worse Cough, wheeze, chest tightness or shortness of breath during the day or night. Waking at night due to asthma Can do some, but not all, usual activities
Medical alert
Shortness of breath
Medicines not working
Cannot do usual activity
It is an emergency. Call your Doctor.
