What Is Peak Flow Monitoring, And Why Should I Monitor Peak Flows?

Dr. Harold Nelson answers the question: 'What Is Peak Flow Monitoring?'

ByABC News
May 15, 2008, 2:30 PM

— -- Question: What is peak flow monitoring, and why should I monitor peak flows?

Answer: The peak flow meter is a simple device for measuring how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It's a rough measure of the amount of narrowing of your airway and hence it can be used to check on the status of your asthma on a regular basis. Some people find it useful to do this to see if they're having a deterioration in their asthma, and it certainly can be used to indicate when the patient should call their physician.

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