The importance of Peak Flow Meters in managing your asthma
The sad truth is that asthmatics are not very good at determining the severity of their own condition. When trying to diagnose asthma, doctors are guided by symptoms like chest tightness, wheezing or difficulty breathing. But if a doctor or an asthmatic cannot accurately assess a condition, it can lead to a severe asthma attack, or even a trip to the A&E.
There have been many studies around the topic of asthma and how it is perceived. A good example is a 1976 study which found that 15% of patients undergoing a medically induced asthma attack were unable to feel the presence of a noticeable airway obstruction. 15% might not seem like a large number, but it is quite significant when it comes to this disease. However, studies conducted in hospitals or laboratories do not reflect the everyday lives, or needs, of asthma patients.
A study published in the British Medical Journal, looked at how good or bad asthmatics are at determining changes in their lung function under normal daily conditions. They conducted an experiment on 255 patients between the ages of 17 and 76 from in and around Bristol.
During this study the participants were asked to measure their peak flow and answer the question ‘How is your asthma?’ by putting a mark on a line ranging from ‘No Asthma’ to ‘Most severe asthma’ — they had to do this 4 times a day for 2 weeks.
The research found that a staggering 60% of patients were unable to correctly sense changes in their lung function. And since this is what guides doctors in prescribing medications, patients couldn’t be treated accurately, meaning that it became difficult to control or manage their conditions.
The study also found that only 10% of participants used a peak flow meter regularly. Most of them had used meters before, but regarded their asthma as less severe, and chose not to continue using a meter. The results of this study show that careful attention should be paid to regular peak flow measurements — whether patients are symptomatic or not.
The fact is, peak flow measurements are a vital tool in the management of asthma. You can improve your asthma control and even lower your medication levels with regular peak flow charting. And while we know this isn’t fun and most asthmatics don’t bother with the process, it’s a proven fact that it is the only accurate way to treat and manage asthma.
This is why we invented Smart Peak Flow, a device that plugs into your smartphone and is paired with an app. The app reminds you to take the measurements, records the values, and charts them for you and your physician.
