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.

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Lungs & Respiration
/ Asthma Support Group

worried about lung function.

poorlygir4l
poorlygir4l
I went to see the respiratory nurse yesterday. I breathed into thhe spiro thing and she asked me questions. Well Im on antibiotics as I had a bit of a chest infection. I was told that my right lung is not working properly. Anyway she ordered some blood tests and a chest xray and I have to have a lung function test today. I take Symbicort. Im ok I think but worried about my lung, I get wheezing and some pain in my chest too. I get this pain then it subsides but I have got gastritis and reflux as well. It feels like my lungs hurt at times though. I have to record my peak flow for a couple of weeks. I guess I will find out how it is. At the moment I have bad gastritis pain. Has anyone else got experience of a lung function test and peak flows etc? What should a womans peak flow be roughly? Mine should be around 300 to 350.
redvelvetcake
redvelvetcake
It sounds like either the asthma or the acid reflux isn't being controlled right now. I had very bad acid reflux and took meds for a year. I still get it (I have it now in fact). You should actually get a peak flow meter to measure your function at home. After awhile you will be able to see what your baseline for feeling good is. Mine is 500, but I have been told that is high for someone with asthma. 300 sounds low but 350 sounds about right. Be sure to ask your doctor though, it has to do with lung capacity too and height etc....

Here is a chart, I hope it links well I couldn't save the photo https://www.google.com/search?q=Normal+peak+flow+woman&tbm=isch&imgil=x0yJS_BFLwuQSM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTfbxWuJ10D7C5Y9YgN8C0HLmjK6ymiPElNVElXOi1B9McAqHaV%253B287%253B355%253BbfhHGpmpH0mtAM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.peakflow.com%25252Ftop_nav%25252Fnormal_values%25252F&source=iu&usg=__EYCWtI7Oon7TCdoXNGOuX8CI6oQ%3D&sa=X&ei=2U3rUtzWLZDboASz8YKADw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwBA&biw=1440&bih=702#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=f4rqgWOBaM6fRM%253A%3B1XZlSX9wEzTdeM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Femupdates.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2009%252F11%252Fnormal-peak-flow.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Femupdates.com%252Ffeed%252F%3B617%3B417
redvelvetcake
redvelvetcake
Oops that link was for those without asthma. here's some I found for those with asthma.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Normal+peak+flow+woman&tbm=isch&imgil=x0yJS_BFLwuQSM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTfbxWuJ10D7C5Y9YgN8C0HLmjK6ymiPElNVElXOi1B9McAqHaV%253B287%253B355%253BbfhHGpmpH0mtAM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.peakflow.com%25252Ftop_nav%25252Fnormal_values%25252F&source=iu&usg=__EYCWtI7Oon7TCdoXNGOuX8CI6oQ%3D&sa=X&ei=2U3rUtzWLZDboASz8YKADw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwBA&biw=1440&bih=702#q=Normal+peak+flow+woman+asthma&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=SkFdXwnITkhRnM%253A%3BAVJWeuXf_8lMPM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thepcrj.org%252Fhtml_onlinefirst_2012%252Fpcrj-2011-08-0100-R1%252Ftable1.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thepcrj.org%252Fjourn%252Fview_article.php%253Farticle_id%253D881%3B780%3B522
annettearizona
annettearizona
Thankfully I don't know anything about lung tests-but I wanted to wish you good luck
redvelvetcake
redvelvetcake
How did the test go?
poorlygir4l
poorlygir4l
They never really gave me the results of the last test I had which was to show inflammation in my lungs. The lung function test was fine and it had settled down but now Im dealing with a chest infection again and pain in my left lung. Im on antibiotics again. I will have to record my peak flow reading again but the doctor said I was wheezing.