Meters measure exhalations of asthma patients
By Sandra Jordan Of the St. Louis American
In addition to medication and emergency inhalers, necessary tools in personal asthma control are peak flow meters and an asthma action plan.
The peak flow meter measures the amount of air you exhale or breathe out. You chart the daily results from your peak flow meter on a chart. Your physician will go over what is considered a green zone – meaning your asthma is controlled.
“Typically your peak flow at 80 percent of your baseline. At that point you want to continue the maintenance medication your physician has you on and avoid any known triggers. When you get to the yellow zone, you may be experiencing some cough, wheeze or chest tightness and your peak flow will be between 60 and 80 percent of your baseline and you need to use your rescue medication (typically albuterol) and call your physician,” said Dr. Mollie Hossfeld, from the Betty Jean Kerr Peoples Health Center.
“If you use it consistently over four to six hours and your symptoms don’t improve or your peak flow does not go up to 80 percent of your baseline, that’s when you need to call your physician. They are, in my opinion, mandatory for patients to control their asthma at home.”
Asthma patients can get a peak flow meter by prescription by asking their doctor.
The asthma action plan is based on your home peak flow measurements. The plan may contain your known asthma triggers, medical phone numbers and helpful contact information to help assist you or medical personnel in the event of an asthma emergency. Upon the advice of your doctor, your personal asthma action plan tells you what steps to take when you are in the green, yellow and red zones.
Information and a downloadable sample asthma action plan from the American Lung Association can be found at www.lungusa.org.