![]() This will help you and your doctor plan your treatment. Sometimes more tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or determine the severity of your COPD. This is a rare genetic problem that increases your risk of COPD. Peak expiratory flow measurement (peak flow) is a simple measure of the maximal flow rate that can be achieved during forceful expiration following full. Sometimes a blood test may also be done to see if you have alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Do not let your tongue block the hole in the mouthpiece. Place the meter in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips around the mouthpiece. How Do I Use a Peak Flow Meter Place the indicator at the base of the numbered scale. Blood testsĪ blood test can show other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to COPD, such as a low iron level (anaemia) and a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood (erythrocytosis). Remember to always use the same peak flow meter. Problems that can be shown by an X-ray include chest infections and lung cancer, although these do not always show. Chest X-rayĪ chest X-ray can be used to look for problems in the lungs that can cause similar symptoms to COPD. Do not put your tongue against or inside the hole. The Smart Peak Flow App reminds you to take your readings, tracks your progress, and allows you to share your readings instantly with your physician. Hold your breath while you place the mouthpiece in your mouth, between your teeth. ![]() The readings are compared with normal results for your age, which can show if your airways are obstructed. Here are the basic steps: Move the marker to the bottom of the numbered scale. You may be asked to breathe out a few times to get a consistent reading. The spirometer takes 2 measurements: the volume of air you can breathe out in a second, and the total amount of air you breathe out. You'll be asked to breathe into a machine called a spirometer after inhaling a medicine called a bronchodilator, which helps widen your airways. SpirometryĪ spirometry test can help show how well your lungs are working. This reading is your peak expiratory flow (PEF). Your peak flow may drop early even before you feel bad. Your peak flows measure how open the airways are in the lungs. Record the highest of the three readings in an asthma diary. Request an Appointment What is a peak flow meter and why use one A peak flow meter measures how fast you can push air out of your lungs when you blow out as hard and as fast as you can. Record the number that appears on the meter and then repeat steps one through seven two times. They may also do, or arrange for you to have, a breathing test called spirometry, plus other related tests of the lungs and airways. PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW RATE - NORMAL VALUES For use with EU/EN13826 scale PEF meters only Adapted by Clement Clarke for use with EN13826 / EU scale peak flow meters from Nunn AJ Gregg I, Br Med J 1989:298 1068 -70 In me n, readings up to 100 L/min lower than predicted are within normal limits. Blast the air out as hard and as fast as possible in a single blow. ask if you have a family history of lung problems Predictive Normal Values have been calculated for women and men of different ages and heights, and have been adapted (with agreement from the original Authors) for use with the new EU Scale / ISO23747 peak flow meters.calculate your body mass index (BMI) using your weight and height.examine your chest and listen to your breathing using a stethoscope.See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To calculate diurnal variation, minus the highest rating to the lowest rating and then divide it with the mean. Handle: folds out, keeps hand away from the air stream thus encourages use of the proper technique for accurate readings.ġ0 litres/minute from 60-700 litres/minuteĢ0 litres/minute from 700-800 litres/minuteĪdjustable colour - coded indicator: green, yellow and red (on the scale side)Ĭomplies with EN 13826:2003: Peak expiratory flow meters or equivalent international. And the highest reading was 500 litre per minute. Main body: impact - resistant ABS plasticĬover and handle: high - density polypropylene Hand-held device used to measure the air flow from the lungs in one "fast blast." A single value is of little relevance multiple results for the same patients are required. It is used to monitor asthma and to quantify the severity of a crisis, and can help to adjust treatment. The result is extrapolated over 1 minute and expressed in litres of expired air per minute. It can be measured with a portable peak flow meter. The peak expiratory flow rate is the flow of air generated in the first 0.1 seconds of a forced expiration.
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