Know your Asthma Monitoring Device- Peak Flow Meter

Peak Flow Meter 

Peak Flow Meter

A Peak Flow Meter is a simple, affordable, hand held device which helps diagnose breathing problems and asthma in children and adults. 

It is a very simple and extremely handy device. Just as we have a BP instrument to check blood pressure, thermometer for fever and the Glucometer for diabetics, the Peak Flow Meter is like a glucometer/thermometer/BP machine  for asthma. For measuring we have to blow into the mouthpiece of the device, and the reading will be taken to check the lung power.

Scale before effort

Reading after the effort

     Most doctors have the device in their clinic but it is also available at most leading chemists for home use to keep asthma in check.

Mouthpiece for blowing air

   If you have asthma and are checking your lung power with the Peak Flow Meter , and you notice a drop in the reading, it means that your asthma is not well controlled and you are likely to get an attack in the near future or within days.
     This is like an early warning signal to increase the dosage or the number of times you should take your medication. When the Peak Flow Meter reading is normal, it suggests that your asthma is under control.

Allergy Skin Prick Test

Allergy skin prick test is a method to identify the antigen for which the patient might be allergic.
Here various antigens specific to the area in which you reside will be chosen. It can be done on area of the body which is devoid of hair. Most common locations  are the forearm, lateral part of the arm or the back.
 Antigens dissolved in solvents are applied over the skin using a dropper and is pushed into the skin by a prick through the droplets using a lancet. The dropper and lancets used for each antigen is different  so as to prevent cross reactions.
Test is usually read after 20 minutes and the allergen causing the Allergy is identified.
You will advised to avoid the allergen found. You will also be given an option to be treated by immunotherapy.
Here are few pictures of Allergy skin prick test.

Lancet used for the test

Allergens used

Patient being prepared for prick test

Let's Talk About Asthma and allergy

Hello , this blog is started to give information regarding Asthma and Allergy for people in need of information. Please contribute your views in the comment box or mail me @ chestmedicine007@gmail.com