Maintenance is one of the most important words you’ll encounter in the battle to gain control of asthma. Developing a maintenance plan involves reducing lung inflammation, avoiding triggers, working with a general practictioner and/or specialist to figure out the best treatment meds, and composing an Asthma Action Plan. This article is part one of the series Asthma Maintenance 101.


Not all doctors recommend peak flow meters for their asthma patients, but I wouldn't want to treat my daughter without one. This small, portable device gives me peace of mind because it takes the guesswork out of determining her pulmonary function. The device consists of a mouthpiece connected to a small plastic tube that measures liters of air per minute (L/min). When an individual blows a strong, fast breath through the mouthpiece, a sliding marker on the measuring tube moves up to the measurement of how many L/min blown out.

If an asthmatic is experiencing poor pulmonary function, she will not blow very high, indicating the need for more medication. Often, airways in asthmatics narrow before they ever exhibit external symptoms of a flare, and peak flow measurements can help them predict and prevent a full-blown flare.

Peak flow meters can also help asthmatics who cough but don't wheeze. My daughter is like this. During cold and flu season, especially, when my kid coughs I can't always tell if her asthma is bothering her. Monitoring her peak flow lets me know if she's headed towards a flare or just clearing her throat.

Using a peak flow meter involves setting up treatment zones with a primary care doctor or asthma specialist. First, doctors will determine a patient's "personal best" peak flow reading. This is the highest L/min an individual can blow, based on an average of several readings during a healthy, non-flare period. Based on this highest reading, physicians will set the following treatment zones:

GREEN
80 to 100% of personal best. This zone requires maintaining the current asthma regimen.

YELLOW
50 to 80% of personal best. This level requires caution. Airways have started to narrow, and a flare is eminent or already occurring. Use reliever medications as advised by the doctor to treat the flare, and continue controller meds.

RED
Less than 50% of personal best. Get medical help immediately. Call the doctor or, if in respiratory distress, head to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

For a child, peak flow meters help the most when paired with Asthma Action Plans. The two tools together provide a step-by-step treatment platform that defines clearly when to add more treatments at home or when to visit a doctor or hospital.



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"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh



This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physcian's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.