How to take your medication and use a peak flow meter
When you visit your health care professional, ask if you're inhaling your medication the right way (take your inhaler out and demonstrate). If you're not doing it correctly, the medication might not work.
Take anti-inflammatory (controller) medication regularly, as directed by your health care professional, even if you don't have symptoms. Take bronchodilating (quick-relief) at the earliest signs of an asthma attack - don't wait. If you have to take bronchodilating medication more than three or four times a day, your airways may be too swollen for safety.
How to use your metered-dose inhaler
• Take off the cap and shake the inhaler.
• Breathe out all the way.
• Hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches in front of your mouth (about the width of one or two fingers, or put the end in your mouth (but not if it's steroids).
• As you start breathing in, press down on the inhaler once. You could also use a spacer/holding chamber; in that case, press down once, then breathe in within five seconds.
• Take a slow breath in, holding for two to four seconds. If it's quick-relief medication, wait about 1 minute between puffs.
How to take a peak flow
• Move the marker to the bottom of the numbered scale.
• Stand up or sit up straight, and take a deep breath. Hold your breath and put the mouthpiece between your teeth. Don't block the mouthpiece with your tongue.
• Blow out as hard and fast as you can.
• Write down the number you get, but if you cough or otherwise make a mistake, start over; don't use that number as peak flow.
• Repeat the process two more times, then note the highest number out of three. Check to see what zone your peak flow is in: green, yellow, or red.
How to use your peak flow meter
• Start by finding your best peak flow while your asthma is under control.
• Take your peak flow each day for two to three weeks, between noon to 2 pm or just after taking quick-relief medicine. The highest number is your best peak flow.
• Now you can establish your three zones: green (80-100% of best peak flow), yellow (50-79%) and red (below 50%), and what medicines to take (ask your health care professional).
• Check your peak flow every morning before you take your medication; during an asthma attack; and just after taking medication for an attack, to see if it's working.
Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
