How to Use a Peak Flow Meter

People that have respiratory problems, especially asthma, will often use a peak flow meter to manage their condition. Peak flow meter's measure the lung capacity of the person using the meter. The device is also used in gyms to gauge the fitness of an individual before suggesting an appropriate exercise program. This article will explain how to use a peak flow meter for asthma sufferers.

A peak flow meter is a small device. Depending on the type of meter you are using, it can be relatively inexpensive and many health authorities will issue free peak flow meters. The mechanical variety of the meter involves a float that is calibrated against a meter or scale. The movement of the float indicates the reading of the person using the device.

A digital peak flow meter is a bit more expensive. It has a number of benefits over the mechanical variety. It gives a digital readout so no errors in reading can be made. It also stores all the readings a person makes. This helps them to understand the trend and get a better understanding of their condition.

Getting a Reading

As far as learning about how to use a mechanical peak flow meter goes, it is necessary to understand how to go about obtaining a reading. This in fact, involves nothing more than fitting the mouthpiece into the peak flow meter and then sliding the indicator to point to zero or in other words the indicator must be positioned at the base of your peak flow meter.

There is however a little more to learn about how to use a peak flow meter and so, you need to be a bit more patient and take things one step at a time. Thus, the next step that you need to follow is that you will have to start by holding the peak flow meter in a horizontal position. You also need to be careful that your fingers are positioned on the side and they are not making contact with the meter’s sliding marker and at the same time you also need to ensure that the holes at the end of the meter are not blocked.

Next, you need to understand a little bit more about how to use a peak flow meter and in fact, once you have understood how to hold the peak flow meter in the proper manner you will then need to learn how to breathe in, in order to get a reading. Thus, your next step is to take a mouthful of breath while remaining in an upright and standing position, and you are then supposed to place the mouthpiece of your peak flow meter into your mouth and also wrap your lips around the device so that it is held closely.

The next step is quite simply breathing out as fast as possible and also forcefully and only through your mouth into your peak flow meter.

The last step in learning how to use a peak flow meter understands what the peak flow meter shows after you have expelled your breath into the peak flow meter. The sliding marker should show you a number which is your reading and which is the last step that you need to learn about when it comes to understanding how to use a peak flow meter.

Most people are advised to take three readings at a time (blow into the meter three separate times) and record the highest score. Again, it is advised that someone with bad asthma does this at least once a day to get a better understanding of the condition. It can also be used if the person feels an asthma attack is imminent. The reading can help determine the dosage of medication needed to prevent the attack.

Learn more about the Mass flow meter.