What is the purpose of a peak expiratory flow meter?
A peak flow meter is a portable, inexpensive, hand-held device used to measure how air flows from your lungs in one “fast blast.” In other words, the meter measures your ability to push air out of your lungs. Peak flow meters come in two ranges to measure the air pushed out of your lungs.
What can a peak flow meter be used to diagnose?
Peak flow is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It’s often used to help diagnose and monitor asthma.
What are some indications for measuring PEF?
Indications
- Monitoring of asthma.
- Monitoring effects of ozone and other air pollutants on respiratory function.
- Monitoring of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
What does a low peak flow reading indicate?
If you get a peak flow score that’s lower than your best score, it can act as an early warning sign and help you prevent an asthma attack. It can also help you identify triggers, allergies, or infections that could be making your asthma worse.
What is a personal best peak flow rate?
The “personal or usual best” peak flow is the highest number you can perform over a two-week period when asthma is under good control. Good control means you feel good and do not have any symptoms. You’ll compare all of your other peak flow readings to your personal best peak flow number.
Is 400 a good peak flow?
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is measured in litres per minute. Normal adult peak flow scores range between around 400 and 700 litres per minute, although scores in older women can be lower and still be normal.
What is the difference between a peak flow meter and a spirometer?
A spirometer assesses a patient’s lung function, however, it offers a larger set of parametric values regarding lung health than a peak flow meter does. Spirometry requires a patient to perform specific breathing maneuvers using a spirometer.
Is a peak flow of 340 good?
Normal adult peak flow scores range between around 400 and 700 litres per minute, although scores in older women can be lower and still be normal. The most important thing is whether your score is normal for you.
When do you do peak expiratory flow measurement?
The measurement is also called the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) or the peak expiratory flow (PEF). Peak flow measurement is mostly done by people who have asthma. Peak flow measurement can show the amount and rate of air that can be forcefully breathed out of the lungs. The measurement should be started after a full lung inhalation.
What can a peak flow meter be used for?
A peak flow meter is a device that measures how well air moves out of the lungs. Many different types of meters are available. A peak flow meter is used to check your child’s asthma, as a thermometer is used to check a temperature.
How is the peak flow rate [ PEFR ] measured?
PEFR monitoring can be accurately performed by most patients older than 5 years. It is most commonly measured by a portable flow gauge device (peak flow meter [PFM]) but may also be obtained by a transducer that converts flow to electric output during spirometry (pneumotachometer).
When to use a peak flow thermometer for asthma?
A peak flow meter is used to check your child’s asthma, as a thermometer is used to check a temperature. During an asthma episode the airways in the lungs become narrow and the peak flow number may be low, showing that air is not moving easily through the lungs.