What is peak flow measurement?Peak flow measurement is a quick test to measure air flowing out of thelungs. The measurement is also called the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)or the peak expiratory flow (PEF). Peak flow measurement is mostly done bypeople who have asthma.Peak flow measurement can show the amount and rate of air that can beforcefully breathed out of the lungs. The measurement should be startedafter a full lung inhalation.During the test, you blow forcefully into the mouthpiece of a device. Apeak flow meter (PFM) is used most often.
This is a small handheld devicemade of plastic. A PFM is small and light enough to be used almostanywhere.
Md Calc Peak Flow Weight Gain
It’s important to use the same PFM on a regular basis. Thereadings can vary between brands and types of meters. Marvels vs capcom free download.
In some cases, thetest is done in a healthcare provider's office or a hospital with aspirometer. This device has a handheld mouth piece that’s attached by cordto a larger electronic machine.An important part of peak flow measurement is noting peak flow zones. Peakflow zones are areas of measurement on a peak flow meter. The goal of thepeak flow zones is to show early symptoms of uncontrolled asthma. Peak flowzones are set differently for each person. Your healthcare provider willhelp determine your peak flow zones. The 3 peak flow zones are noted bycolor and include:.Green.
This means “go.” The green zone is 80% to 100% of your highestpeak flow reading, or personal best. This is the zone you should bein every day. When your measurements are in this zone, air ismoving well through the large airways in your lungs. It means thatyou can do your usual activities and go to sleep without trouble.Yellow.This means “caution” or “slow down.” The yellow zone is 50% to 80%of your personal best.
Measurements in this zone are a sign thatyour large airways are starting to narrow. You may start to havemild symptoms, such as coughing, feeling tired, feeling short ofbreath, or feeling like your chest is tightening. These symptomsmay keep you from your usual activities or from sleeping well.Red.This means “stop.” The red zone is less than 50% of your personalbest. Readings in this zone mean you have severe narrowing of yourlarge airways. This is a medical emergency. You should get helpright away.
You may be coughing, very short of breath, wheezingwhile breathing in and out, or having retractions (the musclesbetween the ribs are working hard to help you breathe). You mayalso have trouble walking and talking.Why might I need peak flow measurement?Peak flow measurement using a peak flow meter is useful for people withasthma. During an asthma flare-up, the large airways in the lungs slowlybegin to narrow.
This slows the speed of air moving through the lungs. Apeak flow meter can help show the narrowing of the airways well before anasthma attack happens. A peak flow meter can help you determine:.When to get emergency medical care.How well an asthma treatment plan is working.When to stop or add medicine as directed by your healthcareprovider.What triggers an asthma attack, such as exerciseA peak flow meter can help you manage asthma. It can give you and yourhealthcare provider information about how open the airways are in yourlungs. The PFM can detect small changes in the large airways before youstart to wheeze. Using a PFM every day will let you know when your peakflows are starting to drop.
This allows you to make early changes in yourmedicine or routine to help keep asthma symptoms from getting worse. ThePFM can also identify the reading at which you need to call your healthcareprovider or go to the emergency room.Your healthcare provider may not advise you use a PFM unless your asthma ismoderate or severe and you are managing it with medicine. PFM can also beused to assess other lung problems, such as:.Emphysema.This is a chronic lung condition that affects the smallest airsacks in the lungs (alveoli).Chronic bronchitis.This is long-term inflammation of the bronchi.
Peak Flow Calculator
It creates excessmucous and a chronic cough.What are the risks of peak flow measurement?All procedures have some risks.
This calculator is for children with asthma. If you know how tall your child is, youcan find out what his or her personal best peak flow value is. Peak flow is how fastyour child breathes out air after taking a deep breath. Your child's peak flow tellsyou and your child's doctor how well your child's lungs are working.You need to know your child's personal best peak flow number to help control yourchild's asthma. This number is part of your child’s Asthma Action Plan.Changes from your child's personal best can help you see how well your child's asthmais under control. These changes also can let you know when your child needs medicineand when your child needs medical care.If you don't know how to find your child's personal best peak flow, click for anexplanation.Note: The calculator will only work if your child is at least 43 inches tall.
How to Find Your Child's Personal Best Peak Flow NumberYour child's personal best peak flow number is the highest peak flow number your childcan measure 2 to 4 times every day over 2 to 3 weeks. Your child's healthcare provider will tell you if you need tomeasure peak flow for longer than 2 to 3 weeks.It is very important to know what your child’s 'baseline' peak flow is. This baselineis done when your child is feeling well and his or her asthma is in good control.Good control means your child doesn't currently have any symptoms of asthma.Each child's asthma is different. And each child’s personal best peak flow numberis different. Children's peak flow numbers typically vary by height.
But even amongchildren of the same height, weight, and sex, peak flow numbers can be different.Here's how to find out your child's personal best peak flow number:. Use the same peak flow meter for each reading. The peak flow meter should read zeroor its lowest reading when your child is not using it.
Md Calc Peak Flow Weight Chart
Take peak flow readings at least 2 to 4 times a day for 2 weeks. Your child's healthcareprovider will tell you if you need to measure peak flow for longer than 2 weeks. Your child should remove any gum or food from his or her mouth.
Take peak flow reading when your child is standing. If your child cannot stand, haveyour child sit up straight. Have your child put his or her tongue under the mouthpiece when the meter is in yourchild’s mouth. It’s important that your child keep his or her tongue away from themouthpiece.
Your child should close his or her lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Your child should blow out as hard and fast as possible.
Your child should not throwor lean his or her head forward as your child blows the air out. Your child should take a few normal breaths and then repeat the process 2 to 3 moretimes.
Write down the highest of the 3 measurements. Never average the numbers. The highestreading is your child's personal best peak flow. Take your child's measurements at the same time each day. Ask your child’s healthcareprovider about the best time to do this. If your child uses quick-relief medicine, take the readings before or after your childuses this medicine, or both. Ask your child’s healthcare provider about the best timeto do this.Keep a chart of your child's peak flow measurements.
Share this with your child'shealthcare provider during routine checkups and as needed.Be sure to clean the peak flow meter. Follow the meter's cleaning instructions. Dirtcollected in the meter may not give a correct peak flow measurement.
Germs or mucuscan get inside the peak flow meter if your child has a cold or other respiratory infection.That’s why it's important to keep the meter clean. Your child's resultsBecause your child's height is, his or her estimated peak flow is. About asthmaAsthma is a long-term (chronic) disease. Making sure that your child’s asthma is undercontrol is a team effort. Your child and his or her caregivers are important teammembers.One of the key parts of controlling asthma is having an Asthma Action Plan. You willdevelop this plan with the help of your child’s doctor.
Each person who cares foryour child will need to have a copy of this plan. The plan is just for your child.Don’t use a plan created for someone else.An Asthma Action Plan gives step-by-step instructions on what to do if your childhas asthma symptoms. The plan helps reduce or prevent asthma flare-ups.
It also helpskeep your child out of the ER and the hospital. The plan tells you and your childwhat symptoms to watch for. It tells you how to treat those symptoms right away. Thiswill also help stop flare-ups from getting worse. The plan will also tell you whento seek emergency care.Part of your child’s Asthma Action Plan is watching his or her peak flow. You needto know how to use a peak flow meter. You also need to know what to do based on themeter’s readings.Using the peak flow meterCheck your child's peak flow measurement when the following symptoms appear, unlessyour child's healthcare provider tells you otherwise:.
Coughing. Wheezing. Shortness of breathTalk with your child's doctor before measuring your child's personal best peak flownumber.
He or she may have other instructions or suggestions, based on your child'scondition. Also show the provider how you or your child uses the peak flow meter.This will help you be certain that you are using correctly.What are asthma action zones?Your child’s Asthma Action Plan tells you what the values should be for your child'sGreen, Yellow and Red Zones. These zones tell you how much your child's daily peakflow differs from his or her personal best. It is important to follow your child’sAsthma Action Plan when his or her peak flow measurement falls in each of these zones.Always follow your child's Asthma Action Plan when acting on your child's peak flowmeasurements.Here is a breakdown of each zone:. The Green Zone is 80% to 100% of your child's personal best.
It is a sign that your child's asthmais in good control. It means your child currently has no symptoms of asthma. Yourchild should continue to take his or her medicine as usual. The Yellow Zone is 50% to 80% of your child's personal best. The Yellow Zone number is your child'scaution signal. It means your child needs to take his or her quick-relief medicine.The instructions will be in your child's Asthma Action Plan. The Yellow Zone alsomeans your child's asthma may not be in good control.
After your child recovers, callyour healthcare provider to see if your child needs to change or take more of hisor her daily medicines. The Red Zone is less than 50% of your child's personal best.
The Red Zone number is your child'semergency signal. Your child should take or take more of his or her quick-relief medicineright away. Follow the instructions in your child's Asthma Action Plan.
Then callyour child's healthcare provider to find out what to do. If your child's peak flowrange does not return to the Yellow or Green Zone within the time expected, call 911.Also call 911 if your child’s Red Zone symptoms get worse.Note: The numbers may be different for children ages 5 to 11. Talk with your child’s healthcareprovider to find what peak flow ranges are normal. Follow the peak flow instructionsin your child’s Asthma Action Plan.
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