Which peak flow meter to buy

Some people with chronic bronchitis and emphysema also may benefit from the use of a peak flow meter. Not all healthcare providers recommend peak flow meters to help children and adults manage their asthma. Many healthcare providers believe a peak flow meter may be of most help for people with moderate and severe asthma. If your asthma is mild or you do not use daily medication, a peak flow meter may not be useful for your asthma management.

Schools may request a peak flow meter for your child so they can help monitor your child's asthma symptoms. Peak flow meter measurements can help your healthcare provider make decisions about your treatment and adjust your medicines, and the measurements also can alert you when your asthma symptoms are worsening.

Asthma sometimes changes gradually. Your peak flow may show those changes before you feel them. Peak flow readings can show you when to start following the steps on your asthma action plan that you developed with your healthcare provider.

It can help you determine the severity of the episode; decide when to use your rescue medicine; and decide when to seek emergency care. A peak flow meter may help you and your healthcare provider identify causes of your asthma at work, home or play, and it can help parents determine what might be triggering their child's asthma.

Step 1 : Before each use, make sure the sliding marker or arrow on the Peak Flow Meter is at the bottom of the numbered scale zero or the lowest number on the scale. Step 2 : Stand up straight. Remove gum or any food from your mouth. Take a deep breath as deep as you can. Put the mouthpiece of the peak flow meter into your mouth.

Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece. Be sure to keep your tongue away from the mouthpiece. In one breath, blow out as hard and as quickly as possible.

Instead of slowly blowing, blow a fast, hard blast until you have emptied out nearly all of the air from your lungs. Step 3 : The force of the air coming out of your lungs causes the marker to move along the numbered scale. Note the number on a piece of paper. Step 4 : Repeat the entire routine three times. You know you have done the routine correctly when the numbers from all three tries are very close together. Step 5 : Record the highest of the three ratings.

Learn More. To compare the measurements of spirometric peak expiratory flow PEF from five different PEF meters and to determine if their values are in agreement. Inaccurate equipment may result in incorrect diagnoses of asthma and inappropriate treatments. There was no agreement between the spirometric values and the five PEF meters. These differences should also be considered when directly comparing values from different types of PEF meters.

This parameter is commonly used for monitoring, diagnosing and observing the evolution of asthma. It is absolutely necessary that PEF meters provide a linear response 10 and that they also provide precise and reliable measurements because discordant values from the different types of meters commonly found in outpatient clinics may result in inappropriate asthma monitoring and treatment.

Many different studies have focused on testing the accuracy of these meters by comparing devices from different manufacturers and equipments from the same brand; these studies have revealed significant inter- and intra-meter variations.

It is generally believed that there is a difference in the observed accuracy of the measurements depending on whether the flow is generated by human subjects or by flow generator equipment. It has been suggested by Pretto et al. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether there are differences among the obtained readings of these five different meters by comparing them with the best FVC maneuver test PEF values performed during the spirometry, considering these latter as true and standard representatives values, verifying if, for each one of the devices, there is an accordance with the spirometric values.

PEF measurements were obtained from sixty-eight healthy, sedentary and insufficiently active volunteers. Smokers, former smokers, individuals presenting respiratory, neurological, temporomandibular or cognitive problems were excluded.

Individuals on medication that could influence respiratory performance were also excluded. Fifteen potential subjects were excluded, which represents an Subsequently, the subjects were submitted to evaluation and measurements. The evaluation consisted of an anamnesis and a physical exam in which personal data were collected, i. PEF values were measured using five different types of meters, each of which was new and duly calibrated by the manufacturer. The order in which the measurements were taken was determined by a random drawing.

The same copy of each device was used for all measurements. The PEF measurements were obtained in an air-conditioned room where the volunteers remained in an orthostatic position and used a nasal clip to prevent leakage of air through the nose.

Volunteers were requested to take a maximum inspiration and thereafter to provide a maximum fast and intense expiratory effort. Volunteers were informed not to bend their neck during the procedure and not to obstruct the mouthpiece with their tongue or spit during the forced expiration to prevent the measurement of higher values that are considered as false.

During the maneuver the subjects received standardized verbal encouragement and repeated the maneuver three times for each of the five PEF meters. After the measurements with each meter, a second pause was taken to prevent respiratory muscle fatigue.

On non-coincident days, the subjects also performed three other spirometric maneuvers, i. Each treatment is sent out in secure and discreet packaging ensuring that you get your medicine on time and intact. By blowing air into the device, the peak air flow meter can measure the force of the air in litres per minute and present you a reading based on a numbered scale.

Peak flow meters are regularly prescribed to people with asthma to help them keep track of their asthma control. Using a peak air flow meter can help keep track of the airway narrowing even before any symptoms are presented.

This allows a person to adjust any medication before symptoms get worse. The peak flow meter for sale at My Pharmacy is the medi medical devices brand. We have the low meter for sale and the standard range peak flow meter for sale. If you have any queries about the peak flow meter for sale via our website, our team will happily answer any questions you have either over the phone or email. The asthma peak flow meter chart for adults allows the measurement of peak expiratory flow and should be noted down at least every morning and evening.

A peak flow meter allows you to measure day-to-day changes in your breathing. Using a peak flow meter can help you:. Work with your doctor to make sure you get the right type of peak flow meter. Peak flow meters are available over-the-counter and can be purchased at a pharmacy. There are several types of peak flow meters available, and all of them work basically the same way: You blow a fast, hard breath into a mouthpiece and record the resulting score.

For the most accurate reading, be sure your peak flow meter is clean and, if applicable, fully charged. To get accurate readings, make sure you know how to use your peak flow meter properly. Ask your doctor or other health care professionals to watch you use it. It's also important to keep your peak flow meter clean. Follow the manufacturer's instructions — most peak flow meters require weekly cleaning with warm water and a mild detergent.

To start, your doctor will want to get an idea of your peak flow measurements when you feel good and have no asthma symptoms. You'll record your daily peak flow rate over a two- to three-week period. Your highest peak flow rate over this period is known as your "personal best.