PEAK FLOW METER USE IN ASTHMA MANAGEMENT

Peak flow monitoring is used to assist in establishing a diagnosis of asthma, to measure asthma severity, to assess the response to treatmen t and to recognise deteriorating asthma. This article describes the ad vantages and limitations of peak flow monitoring, practical aspects of peak flow meter use and the circumstances in which peak flow monitori ng is most likely to ensure better patient outcomes, Recommendations a re made for a written action plan, based on peak flow monitoring, for the effective management of asthma at home and treatment of asthma exa cerbations.