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Slide the pointer down to the bottom of the scale.
Lightly hold the meter on its edge in front of you, with the scale away from your hand.
Take as deep a breath in as you can.
Hold your breath. Place the mouthpiece well into your mouth and seal your lips firmly around it.
Blow as hard and as fast as you can for a second or more, being careful not to block the mouthpiece with your tongue or your teeth.
And I’m now going to show you how to do it.
INHALES
EXHALES
Your peak flow reading is show on the scale against the pointer.
Make a note of the reading and slide the pointer back to the bottom of the scale.
Blow in 3 times and make a note of the reading after each time, and then compare the highest score with your action plan.
You will soon get to know your own normal readings.
You should take the peak flow reading twice a day, morning and evening.
If you become unwell, one of the first signs you might notice is a change in your peak flow reading.
If there are big differences between your morning and evening readings, or if you start to wake at night with a cough or a wheeze, this could be a sign that your asthma is worsening and you should seek medical advice.
- Peak flow is a measurement of how fast you can blow air out of your lungs.
- It shows how wide your airways are at the time of taking the test.
- It can be helpful to assess how well your symptoms are controlled.
If your doctor has given your child a peak flow meter, regular use of morning and evening will help you to notice any changes in their asthma over time or from day to day. You should also be given a peak flow diary to record their readings. This can be useful to take with you to appointments with your healthcare team and asthma reviews.
