peak flow readings

[lindseykav]

hi just wondering, for about 6 weeks i have been having breathing problems, being short of breath, fast heart rate, i have seen a specialist and he has asked me to monitor a peak flow for 4 weeks, the readings are up and down (lower in a morning than the evening) usually between 340-390 in the morning and 400-450 in the evening i have had a reading of 500 but can not seem to get this again is this normal? i dont take any medication for my breathing

[Sqad]

I am not an expert on Pulmonary Physiology, but one would need to know your sex(presumably female) and age.

[lindseykav]

hi squad im a 26 year old female

[Sqad]

lindsey....I am going to assume that you are between 5 ft...5ft 6ins tall.......in which case, those figures that you have given in litres/min are certainly well within normal limits.
500litres a min for you would be extremely good.

Dont worry.

There is an ABer ....cant remember her name, who works in a Chest Unit......she will also comment.

[lindseykav]

thanks squad for your response yeah im 5 ft 3

[masma]

My peak flow readings vary between 150 and 180, I use inhalers but don't have too many problems breathing - your readings seem very good to me.

[marie26]

The readings that you are achieving are average for your age, height and sex. There can be a variation of 50ml for women, and 100ml for men (lower) and variation from morning to evening. Also depends on your fitness and whether you smoke or not. If you are very fit, eg athlete, you will achieve bigger volumes.

[jd_1984]

I am registered as asthmatic, however havent needed medication or inhalers since I was 14. I was told that it can you leave you and sometimes return so I still attend asthma clinics annually and do the peak flow as part of the check up. I blew 575 last time ( I am late 20's male 5ft 10 ). The nurse didnt mention if that was good or not?? I always worry though incase it comes back as I am really in to fitness etc and I remember as a kid struggling in P.E at school and carrying an inhaler etc...

[mollykins]

Mines 200-300 i think although i haven't done it for a while.

[jd_1984]

I improved my peak flow as a teeneager by swimming 3 times a week. I forget what I used to blow back then. I got whacked with an astma attack aged 7 after not suffering from the condition at all as a younger child. Then at age 14 I was told I should always keep a ventolin inhaler at hand but that I was showing excellent improvements. This is when they mentioned it can leave you. Last time I took ventolin was years ago, but still carry it and attend annual clinics as advised.

[jd_1984]

My parents researched it and found out that there is an assosiation with eczema and hay fever, of which I suffered as a younger child. Yes, thankfully I dont get any of the above or asthma issues now. As a child it was confusing and upsetting as I couldnt keep up with my mates at school and football games etc.

[lindseykav]

thanks everyone for your advice

[Dris]

Sorry lindsey -can i just say additives in food dont help.My 2 were asthmatic as children and I bought E for Additives book and I had them on an additive free diet and it did help.
I got a peak flow meter off my GP and I check at times and i'm always around 500 -dont have asthma tho-just use it when i feel chesty.