What Is Peak Flow?

Peak flow is the measurement of how effectively air moves out of your lungs. A peak flow meter monitors your asthma the way a blood pressure cuff monitors your blood pressure.

Measuring peak flow helps determine any narrowing in your airways before you have an attack. This allows you to take your medicine before a serious attack develops.

Why Is Peak Flow Monitoring So Important?

Peak flow monitoring allows you and your doctor to manage your condition effectively. It gives an accurate picture of your condition that allows your doctor to make appropriate decisions regarding the effectiveness of your medicine and treatment plan.

Other benefits of peak flow monitoring include:

Helps you decide whether your condition is serious enough to seek emergency treatment
Allows you to detect early stages of airway obstruction to start immediate treatment
Gives you an accurate picture of the variations in your condition over a 24-hour period, permitting your doctor to prescribe treatment when you need it most
Helps you differentiate between airway obstruction and other causes of breathlessness like hyperventilation
Allows you to identify specific allergens or irritant exposures that may be causing your symptoms
Enables you to communicate more effectively with your doctor so that guidance can be provided over the phone if needed
May be an effective way to monitor whether your asthma symptoms have stabilized, improved, or worsened

How Do I Use a Peak Flow Meter?

Most adults and young children can use a peak flow meter. All this requires is a short, hard blow of air into the meter.

Place the indicator at the base of the numbered scale.
Sit upright or stand up.
Take a deep breath.
Place the meter in your mouth and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Be sure not to put your tongue in the hole.
Blow out as hard and fast as you can (a short "blast").
Write down the number that you get.
Repeat the above steps two more times.
Write down the highest of the three numbers in your asthma diary.
Clean your peak flow meter after use. Regular cleaning will help keep it working accurately and in good condition.

The Three Zone System

You need to find your personal best peak flow number — the highest number you can attain over a two-week period when you feel good and have no asthma symptoms. These measurements should be taken when you wake up and in the evening, and also before and after taking an inhaled medication if you use one. Keep an accurate record of these readings to discuss with your doctor.

Peak flow numbers are divided into zones set up like a traffic light. Using your personal best peak flow number, you can determine which zone a reading falls in and respond with the appropriate treatment.

Green Zone — 80% to 100% of Your Personal Best

Signals all clear. No asthma symptoms are present and you can take your medications as you have been doing.
Yellow Zone — 50% to 80% of Your Personal Best

Signals caution. You may be having an asthma attack that requires an increase in medication, or your doctor may need to change your treatment plan because your asthma is not under control.
Red Zone — Below 50% of Your Personal Best

Signals a medical alert. Take your short-acting bronchodilator immediately, recheck your peak flow rate, and then contact your doctor right away.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about peak flow monitoring. Your particular zones should be established based on your individual condition.

How Do I Keep Track of My Peak Flow Readings?

It is important to keep a daily diary of your peak flow readings so that you and your doctor can better evaluate your treatment plan. This information can help you effectively control your condition and lead a more active, healthy life.

If you have any questions, contact our office: Omaha: 402-391-1800 Lincoln: 402-464-5969