Treating an Acute Asthma Attack Early Can Save Lives

Asthma is a condition that causes a persons airways to narrow. It can also cause some inflammation in the airways. A person may feel like they are wheezing or feel short of breath. This makes it difficult to get the oxygen we need into the lungs. An acute asthma attack is when the symptoms flare up. If airway constriction is severe enough a person can go into respiratory failure. Although death from an acute asthma attack does not happen frequently, it still does happen. One way to prevent an acute asthma attack from becoming deadly is to treat it early. One way to determine if treatment is needed is by using a peak flow meter.

How does it work? A peak flow meter is a small simple device about the size of a large test tube. A person takes a deep breath than exhales into the device forcefully. It will measure the amount of air they exhaled out. This is called the peak expiratory flow rate. There is a predicted amount of air a person should be able to exhale based on their age and height, although individual measurements will vary.

How does someone use it? When using a peak flow meter a person inhales deeply and blows out into the device. Someone with a history of asthma should measure their peak flow when they are feeling well to get a baseline measurement. A baseline is what their everyday peak flow is when they are not having symptoms. Everyone will not be able to blow out what is predicted for them. By using a peak flow meter every day for a week a two a person can determine what their best peak flow measurement is on average.

How can it help? Once a baseline peak flow is established an individual needs to calculate the following: A green zone is 80 percent of their best measurement . A yellow zone is 50 to 80 percent of their best. A red zone is less than 50 percent of their best measurement. Each of these zones means something. A green zone means a person's asthma is likely under control and they are breathing fine. They should take their medications as they normally do. A yellow zone means a person is probably experiencing symptoms and may need to use their fast acting inhaler more frequently if prescribed. If someone continually starts measuring in the yellow zone they may need to meet with their doctor to discuss changing medication to help control symptoms better. Lastly in the red zone a person should use their fast acting inhaler immediately. If symptoms persist, a trip to the doctor or emergency room may be needed.

An individual with asthma needs to follow their doctors advice and instructions regarding medications. It is important to remember a peak flow meter is only one way to measure how severe an asthma attack is. A person with asthma needs to be able to recognize their symptoms as well. Regardless of what a peak flow measurement is if a person is having a great deal of trouble breathing a call to 911 is needed. However a peak flow meter is one additional tool to help an individual monitor themselves and recognize asthma symptoms are becoming worse. By treating asthma symptoms quickly it can deduce the likelihood of complications and a life threatening situation, so everyone can breathe easier.