A peak flow meter helps you check how well your asthma is controlled. Peak flow meters are most helpful if you have with moderate to severe persistent asthma.
Many children under age 5 cannot use a peak flow meter very well. But, some are able to. Start using peak flow meters before age 5 to get your child used to them.
To find your "personal best" peak flow number, take your peak flow each day for 2 - 3 weeks. Your asthma should be under good control during this time. Take your peak flow as close to the times of day below as you can. These times for taking your peak flow are only for finding your personal best peak flow:
Write down the number you get for each peak flow reading. The highest peak flow number you had during the 2 - 3 weeks is your personal best.
Ask your doctor to help you fill out an asthma action plan. This plan should tell you when to call the doctor for help and when to use medicines if your peak flow drops to a certain level.
Your personal best can change over time. Ask your doctor when you should check for a new personal best.
Once you know your personal best, take your peak flow at these times:
Check to see which zone your peak flow number is in. Do what your doctor told you to do when you are in that zone. This information should be in your action plan. If you use more than one peak flow meter (such as one at home and another one at school or work), be sure that all of them are the same brand.
Peak flow meter - how to
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publications 08-4051.
Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
Images
Read More
Patient Instructions
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.