
Asthma Support Group
Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

deleted_user
My asthma has recently returned (Poo!) and had a peak flow reading taken by the asthma nurse. It was about 300. My son, who also has been recently rediagnosed, has to check his peak flow regularly, so we have been doing it togather.
Now, I can't seem to get my peakflow above 330, its normally about 300. I'm not sure what its meant tobe, or if I need to go back to the nurse as I don't think its improving.
What do you guys think? What is a mormal peak flow for you? Is it meant to stay the same, even on meds?
Help me , I am confused!!
Now, I can't seem to get my peakflow above 330, its normally about 300. I'm not sure what its meant tobe, or if I need to go back to the nurse as I don't think its improving.
What do you guys think? What is a mormal peak flow for you? Is it meant to stay the same, even on meds?
Help me , I am confused!!
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Your doctor, or the nurse, can tell you what a "normal" peak flow would be for a person of your gender, age, weight and height as there are charts listing this information just as there are for a person's body mass index. However, in this case, what is listed as "normal" might not be normal for you as these charts are: 1) based on results from healthy subjects, and 2)based on averages from these healthy subjects. So what's "normal" for a person with asthma/COPD, especially depending on the stage of disease, might not ever be known.
It is best for you to chart your peak flow rates over a year's time noting seasonal patterns and whether your asthma is active or not. However, there are electronic peak flow devices that: 1) can tell what percentage of your lungs are blocked, 2) give results based on lung gases, which is much more accurate and effective than the plastic toys most of us are given today. The problem is these devices are: 1) often unavailable outside a doctor's office and 2) expensive as hell and not covered by insurance though in the end this would save insurance costs on meds- go figure.
All this being said, what you really need to do is call your doctor or nurse and discuss an asthma action plan based on you peak flow rates and symptoms. This will allow you to adjust your medications up and down as needed and give you a "goal" peak flow rate area to shoot for rather than playing a guessing game of what is "normal." And yes, being on the right meds, in the right dosages, should improve your peak flow rates. This is all part of having an asthma action plan.
Hopefully this will clear up any confusion. Please post what you decide to do. In general, if your peak flows are not improving despite medication, it's time to call your doctor/nurse.
My sister does not have any chest condition and her peak flow is 300.
It depends what size your lungs are .
Cheers again
xx
25% of the time it is around 450 to
475 Take meds as prescribed. 60%
of the time it is around 425. More
careful about taking meds. When it
gets below 375 10% of the time I start using my nebulizer. When it is 325 or below 5% of the time get a prescription for Predgnosome.Your peak flow will depend on how hard you breath into the peak flow meter.I was told to breath as hard as you can. Not everyone's peak
flow is the same.
:)
nebulize below 350. I take Singular,
Advair and Flownaise. If it falls below
400 I add ProAir to the mix. Ask your
Doctor for a chart. It is good to take
your peak flow several times a day.
Peak flow meters can be gotten at the drugstore or on the net. You may need
a prescription to get at the drugstore.
It is good to keep a record. Also
blowing onto the peak flow meter
as hard as you can helps clear your
lungs.