Sometimes an additional purple zone is allocated, at the values of which it is necessary to call an ambulance. Values below 60% belong to the red zone – in this case, urgent relief of exacerbation and specialist consultation are required. The yellow zone corresponds to the values of PEF in the range of 80-60%, requiring strengthening of the treatment regimen and an early visit to the doctor. The green zone is indicators exceeding 80% of the individual norm when these values are obtained, it is sufficient to continue planned therapy. Based on the indicators of peak flow meter, according to the “traffic light” principle, several zones and their corresponding activities are allocated. Critical is the reduction of PEF by 20% from the best indicator.īased on the data of peak flow meter, the doctor makes individual recommendations for the patient. With low values of PEF or a large gap between morning and evening values (daily variability of PEF > 30%), control of the disease is also considered to be unattainable. In the case of a morning decrease in PEF, they talk about a “morning failure”, which always indicates inadequate asthma control. With satisfactory control of the disease and the effectiveness of therapy, the graph is close to a straight line with unsatisfactory, the curve looks zigzagged and broken. Interpretation of resultsĪccording to the form of the peak flow meter graph, the doctor can analyze the stability of the course of the disease. Then, when determining the current PEF indicator, it is compared with the best own result. This value is determined during the daily 2-3-week peak flow meter. To evaluate the indicators, it is necessary to know the best value of the PEF of a particular patient corresponding to the remission phase. After a few minutes of rest, the test is repeated 2 more times of the three indicators, the maximum PEF is selected and noted. The resulting indicator corresponds to the peak expiratory flow, measured in liters per minute. When exhaling, as a result of air pressure on the valve, the arrow of the peak flow meter moves along the scale. Then you should take a deep breath, tightly cover the mouthpiece of the picflowmeter with your lips and, holding it horizontally, exhale into the device as quickly and strongly as possible through your mouth. The PEF measurement is performed sitting or standing, after previously taking several normal breaths and exhalations. The obtained PEF indicators are recorded in a special diary of self-observation and are arranged in the form of a graph. This test should be performed before using inhaled medications and 3-4 hours after taking bronchodilators. During the selection of therapy, the study is additionally performed during the day (three times a day). Peak flow meter is performed in the morning 5-10 minutes after waking up and before going to bed at night, preferably at the same time. Significant is the change in the PEF index over 20% (with an average value for women – between 400 and 550 l/min., and for men – 500-600 l/min.). Monitoring of peak flow meter gives the doctor the opportunity to determine the reversibility of bronchial obstruction, detect bronchial hyperreactivity, anticipate an asthmatic attack, diagnose occupational asthma, and select an effective dosage of drugs (bronchodilators and inhaled glucocorticosteroids). Daily monitoring of PEF is indicated for all patients with diagnosed bronchial asthma. Peak flow meter is used to diagnose bronchial asthma, determine the severity of the disease, control the course of asthma and the effectiveness of treatment, and prevent an impending exacerbation. Peak flow meter can be a screening method that allows to detect the presence of pre-asthma and asthma, as well as be used to determine the provoking factors leading to bronchial obstruction. The scope of diagnostic application of the technique is any lung diseases occurring with bronchial obstruction (COPD, bronchial asthma) and planning their treatment. Peak flow meter, unlike spirometry, is a more affordable and fast method, which can be carried out both in the clinic and at home after the patient’s instruction. A dynamic study allows you to record changes in the patency of the bronchi even before the development of critical bronchospasm and take preventive measures in time. Diagnostic peak flow meter makes it possible to objectively identify and assess the degree of bronchial obstruction. The procedure is performed using a peak flow meter device, which can be used for self-monitoring. The peak expiratory flow (PEF) depends on a number of factors, including the presence of bronchial obstruction. The importance of peak flow mete in bronchial asthma and various COPD is comparable to the importance of blood pressure control in hypertension or glucose measurement in diabetes mellitus.
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