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Peak Flow Monitoring

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 actual 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 plan and treatment plan .

Other benefits of peak flow monitoring include the following:

  • 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. This permits your doctor to prescribe treatment when you need it the most.
  • Helps you differentiate between airway obstruction and other causes of breathlessness like hyperventilation.
  • Allows you to ascertain specific allergens, irritants, or workplace exposures that may cause your symptoms to develop.
  • Enables you to communicate more effectively with your doctor so that he or she can provide guidance over the phone if needed.
  • May be an effective detector to monitor whether your asthma symptoms have stabilized, improved, or deteriorated/worsened.

How do I start?

Most adults and young children can use a peak flow meter.

All it requires is a short, hard blow of air into the meter. Here's how to use the peak flow 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.
  • 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.

What is the "Three Zone" system?

You need to find your personal best peak flow number. This is the highest number that you can attain over a 2-week period when you feel good and do not have any asthma symptoms. These measurements should be taken when you wake up and in the evening. They should also be taken before and after taking an inhaled medication , if you use one. Keep an accurate record of these readings so that you can discuss them with your doctor.

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

For example:

traffic signal with red, yellow, and green lights

GREEN ZONE (80% to 100% of your personal
best number)

The green zone signals all clear. No asthma symptoms are present and you can take your medications as you have been doing.

YELLOW ZONE (50% to 8O% of your personal best number)

The yellow zone 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 number)

The red zone signals a medical alert. You should first take your short-acting bronchodilator immediately and then contact your doctor right away.

Be sure to talk to your doctor regarding 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 to effectively control your condition and lead a more active, healthy life.

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Back to School with Asthma and Allergies

Back to School

Where did the summer go? It’s almost back to school time for thousands of Oklahoma children. Is your family ready? Are your children starting a new school? Was your child recently diagnosed with an allergy, a food allergy and/or asthma? OAAC will help you be prepared for back to school!

First, if you need birth certificates, they can be ordered online oklahoma.gov/health/services/birth-and-death-certificates.html or by calling 877-817-7364. The cost is $15. Additional copies $15. There is an online/phone convenience fee of $5.

Need immunization records? You can access them online through the Oklahoma Immunization Information System Portal - shotrecords.health.ok.gov

Children with Asthma
Talk to your OAAC provider especially if your child’s asthma is not in control. Update or complete an Asthma Action plan to use at home and at school. You can download a plan from the OAAC website oklahomaallergy.com/wp-content/uploads/521-ASTHMA-ACTION-PLAN.pdf Update any medication orders. If your child is going to a new school, make an appointment to have a conversation with the school staff. Review when your child should take his/her asthma medications. Ensure your child or teen is using daily controller medications on schedule and quick-relief medication as needed.

Visit with the school’s nurse or school administrator about your child’s asthma. Take the medication, forms and supplies to school before or by the first day. For those with children who use a nebulizer, check with the school to see if you need to provide tubing and a face mask and/or the nebulizer itself.

Develop a healthy schedule which includes eating regular, nutritious meals and a set sleep routine.

Check with your child at the end of school day to see if he/she experienced any issues maintaining their asthma at school.

Children with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction may complain about participating in physical activities. However, it is very important for children to stay active, so work with school staff to develop strategies to keep your child symptom-free while exercising. These may include:
•    Using a short-acting inhaler 15 minutes prior to exercise
•    Drinking plenty of water before, during and after exercise
•    Choosing sports that are less likely to trigger symptoms.

Allergies at School

Depending on your child’s allergic condition, you may want to:
•    Tour the school to identify potential allergy triggers
•    Talk with your child’s teacher(s) and other relevant school personnel (such as sports coaches) about your child’s condition and treatment plan
•    If your child is at risk for life-threatening reactions, such as those to food or insect stings, complete an Anaphlyaxis Action Plan and show school staff how to administer autoinjectable epinephrine.

In the Classroom
There are many potential allergy and asthma triggers in schools. It is very important that your child’s allergies have been accurately diagnosed in order to determine what allergens to avoid. If your child has not been tested, make an appointment with the OAAC for testing.

Common asthma and allergy triggers in the classroom include:
•    Dust mites
•    Mold
•    Chalk dust
•    Animal dander

At Recess, Gym Class and After-School Sports
Recess may be the favorite time of the school day for many children, but for those with allergies or asthma, it can be a minefield of potential triggers.

If your child has allergic rhinitis (hay fever), you can view the daily pollen and mold counts (Monday-Friday) on the OAAC website and on social media. When levels are very high, plan accordingly if your child takes medication to control symptoms. When indoors, ask staff to keep windows closed to keep pollen out.

Insect bites can cause severe reactions in children with stinging insect allergy. Explain the symptoms to school staff and make sure your child always carries auto injectable epinephrine in case of an emergency.

Working as a team with your OAAC provider, your school staff and your family, back to school can be an easy transition with proper preplanning.

The post Back to School with Asthma and Allergies appeared first on Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.

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