Peak Flow Meter Defined

A peak flow meter for asthma is a handheld meter that measures how well air flows out of the lungs. 

Measuring your peak flow using this meter is an important part of managing your asthma symptoms and preventing an asthma attack. That is because sometimes you may feel your breathing is fine, but when you measure it with a peak flow meter, you find  your lung function is slightly decreased.

A peak flow meter helps you and your allergist / immunologist evaluate how severe your asthma is at any point in time. With a peak flow meter, you can often see a drop in your readings even before your symptoms (like coughing or wheezing) get worse. Decreases in peak flow may show that you need to increase your medication or see your allergist. 

Learn more about asthma diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and management.

If you or your child has symptoms of asthma, or if your asthma is not under control, an allergist / immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, can help. An allergist has advanced training and experience to determine what is causing your symptoms and prescribe a treatment plan to help you feel better and live better.

The AAAAI's Find an Allergist / Immunologist service is a trusted resource to help you find a specialist close to home.