The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP, a project of the National Institutes of Health) recommends that your health care provider give you a written asthma action plan that outlines several peak flow zones. Each zone is based on a percentage of your own personal best peak flow rate, and each specifies which medication (or other action) to take when your reading is in that zone. It might help you to do the math ahead and jot down the range of readings for each zone.

Peak flow zones are often explained with a traffic light metaphor. The following sample of peak flow zones shows a typical three-color system. But remember: this is only a sample. Your health care provider will give you instructions for each peak flow zone in your personalized asthma action plan.

The three-color zone system

• Green Zone: All systems are go. Peak flow meter readings in the green zone range from 100% of your personal best, to 80%. You have good control, and no symptoms are present. A peak flow reading in this zone usually means you’re doing everything right. Your health care provider may not specify an action to take beyond what you’re already doing for maintenance.
• Yellow Zone: You’ve entered a danger zone. Peak flow meter readings in the yellow zone range from 79% of your personal best, to 50%. Your daily control is slipping, and your airways are beginning to constrict. You’re in danger of an episode. Your doctor will probably want you to use your quick-relief medication (sometimes called reliever or rescue medication). You also may be asked to call your health care provider for additional instructions.
• Red Zone: This is a medical emergency! Peak flow meter readings in the red zone go from 49% down to 0. Your airways have already narrowed and your breathing is seriously restricted. Your health care provider will probably want you to use your reliever medication immediately. You may also be asked to contact your doctor right away, go to the hospital, or call 911.

Your daily peak flow diary

Measure your peak flow every day, preferably at about the same time. The NAEPP recommends that you measure peak flow first thing in the morning. Your doctor may ask you to take a second reading, especially if your morning measurement is less than 80% of your personal best. It may also be a good idea to take readings before and after using your quick-relief medication. This will give you a sense of how much improvement in airway function your reliever medication offers.

Each time you measure your peak flow rate, compare the reading with your personal peak flow zone ranges, and act accordingly. Writing down your daily readings in a diary lets you track your airway function over time. A peak flow diary will give your health care provider quality information about your condition, and tell you and your doctor how well your asthma management plan is working.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 at 11:11 am and is filed under Adult Asthma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.