My Crohn's and Colitis Blog » Cough Variant Asthma » Peak flow correlation to symptoms?
Peak flow correlation to symptoms?
Question:
Hi Lesa And I thought I was the only one! However, I do find that recording PF’s gives a good historical record of my asthma and my doctor always asks to see them. Norman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sometimes I have experienced an unusually high PF just before a crash the following day. So now I take any unusual reading as a warning sign. Norman My daughter has the same thing–I’ve learned to prepare (hopefully without her getting to worried) for what seems to come. I don’t have that happen–I’ll be dong fine and then just drop without the increase prior. Lesa
Response:
I’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Can someone please tell me how to measure Peak flow and what is it exactly?
Your ‘peak flow’ refers to the maximum rate that you can exhale. This is somewhat similar to the maximum speed of a car. Airways inflammation generally proceeds asthma symptoms, thus detecting the decrease in the airways size (which shows up as a drop in peak flow) is a good indicator of impending asthma symptoms. Usually, this will allow you to take preventative action (such as increasing anti inflammatory medications) to reverse this process and head off the attack. You measure peak flows with a ‘peak flow meter’. This is a plastic device that you blow into which measures the maximum rate which you can exhale. What you do is compare this reading with your ‘personal best’ (the highest peak flows you can produce consistently during symptom free periods). If you are at or above 80% of this you are in the ‘green zone’ and are doing fine. 50 to 79% is the yellow zone and is a warning that you need to take the actions described by your doctor. Anything below 50% is the ‘red zone’ and is a sign of serious problems. Depending on your situation, your doctor may tell you to do anything to use your rescue medications and monitor, to telling you to call 911. The exact actions you take in regards to your peak flow readings are something that you and your doctor have to tailor to your particular situation. "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." Einstein
Response:
I’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Can someone please tell me how to measure Peak flow and what is it exactly? Thanks, Nancy
Response:
Can someone please tell me how to measure Peak flow and what is it exactly?
You need to get a peak flow meter (your doctor should be able to help with this; if not, several online sites sell them). Then, essentially, you breathe into it once or twice a day as hard as you can, and measure the results. Tracking this over a long time lets you know your personal best peak flows, based on which you can tell when you’re getting low and need to up your meedications or contact your doctor.
Response:
I’ve been diagnosed with asthma. Can someone please tell me how to measure Peak flow and what is it exactly?
Hiya – You need to do this with your doctor. Your doctor will give you a peak flow meter, and show you how to use it. You will do it when you are feeling good, and that is how she will determine what your green (no wheezing), yellow (moderate wheezing), and red (need to go to the emergency room) zones are – they differ for each person. I find this to be a life saver!! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )
Response:
Sometimes I have experienced an unusually high PF just before a crash the following day. So now I take any unusual reading as a warning sign. Norman
My daughter has the ame thing–I’ve learned to prepare (hopefully without her getting to worried) for what seems to come. I don’t have that happen–I’ll be dong fine and then just drop without the increase prior. Lesa
Response:
Sometimes I have experienced an unusually high PF just before a crash the following day. So now I take any unusual reading as a warning sign. Norman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had all the classic symptoms, i.e.. tightness in the chest, difficulty in getting a full breath. But, I spoke too soon; readings went down today! I think I’m allergic to something. Been coughing and sneezing like crazy and haven’t been out for two days. Oh, well – another trip to see my favorite doc. Txs for your responses. P.S. my favorite dessert is "Too Die For Chocolate Cake". Niasha
Response:
I had all the classic symptoms, i.e.. tightness in the chest, difficulty in getting a full breath. But, I spoke too soon; readings went down today! I think I’m allergic to something. Been coughing and sneezing like crazy and haven’t been out for two days. Oh, well – another trip to see my favorite doc. Txs for your responses. P.S. my favorite dessert is "Too Die For Chocolate Cake". Niasha
Response:
Nancy, what does it mean when you feel like heck but your peak flow readings are within the normal range, ie. 80-100%? Niasha
Hiya – Well Im not a doctor, but I would take a guess and say that whatever you are feeling is maybe not asthma related and are being caused by another problem. And the next thing I would do is go to the dr and find out what is going on. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )
Response:
Hiya – I, personally, have found the peak flow readings to be extremely accurate. I have surprised myself when feeling well, and given a lower peak flow reading then normal. I wouldnt start feeling the symptoms until later in the afternoon. I use it twice a day, without fail, and record the readings. Looking back its amazing to see how the readings start to drop before an attack. I find it an essential tool. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )
Response:
I, personally, have found the peak flow readings to be extremely accurate. I have surprised myself when feeling well, and given a lower peak flow reading then normal. I wouldnt start feeling the symptoms until later in the afternoon.
Nancy, what does it mean when you feel like heck but your peak flow readings are within the normal range, ie. 80-100%? Niasha
Response:
I, personally, have found the peak flow readings to be extremely accurate. I have surprised myself when feeling well, and given a lower peak flow reading then normal. I wouldnt start feeling the symptoms until later in the afternoon. Nancy, what does it mean when you feel like heck but your peak flow readings are within the normal range, ie. 80-100%? Niasha
I’ve had that happen several times……sometimes in an acute attack my PF won’t drop at all……I take the albuterol ANYWAY….and it helps. go by what you feel if your PF is high when it shouldn’t be — Emily
Response:
As I have often told my doctor, I don’t have trouble on the exhale, that’s nice and strong. My problem, when I have particularly bad spells, is on the inhale where I feel I am struggling to get the air in. During those periods, my peak flows are still in a respectable range. And my oxygen levels check out all right also…but I feel like I am going to die…if you know what I mean.
+AD4-Do peak flow readings accurately correlate with asthma severity for +AD4-cough variant asthma? I know it seems to me that symptoms and peak +AD4-flows don’t always correlate (at higher symptom times I’ll sometimes +AD4-startle myself with a high reading), and I’m wondering if this is a +AD4-sign the symptoms are coming from elsewhere, or simply that peak flow +AD4-isn’t always an accurate indicator. +AD4-
Response:
Do peak flow readings accurately correlate with asthma severity for cough variant asthma? I know it seems to me that symptoms and peak flows don’t always correlate (at higher symptom times I’ll sometimes startle myself with a high reading), and I’m wondering if this is a sign the symptoms are coming from elsewhere, or simply that peak flow isn’t always an accurate indicator.
Response:
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