Basic steps to check peak flow:
Preventative Measures Controller Medications
No matter how hard you try, asthma may
not be prevented. However, you can limit
exposure to things that may trigger asthma.
 Make sure your home is kept smoke-
free.
 Keep pets outside
 Breastfeed as long as possible. Breast
milk contains antibodies that can delay
or even prevent allergies.
 Keep your bedroom as dust-free as
possible.
 Read all food labels to avoid things to
which you may be allergic.
Asthma Treatment
Medications used to treat asthma can be
grouped into two broad categories,
Controller and Rescue Medications.
 Move the marker to the bottom of the
Anti-Inflammatory drugs - reduce
inflammation in the airway lining. They
take time to work, and must be used every
day to be effective.
Rescue Medications
Bronchodilators – these medications open
the airways by relaxing the muscles
surrounding the bronchial tubes.
The most important thing you can do to
control asthma severity is to take your
controller medication every day as
instructed by your doctor.
 Avoid the asthma triggers.
 Learn to recognize early warning signs.
 Check your peak flow and follow the
Asthma Management Plan that your
doctor and or Physiotherapist has
provided you.
The peak flow meter is a calibrated,
portable, handheld device that is used
to measure how well air moves out of the
lungs. Measuring your peak flow is an
important part of managing your asthma
symptoms and preventing an asthma
attack.  
If your airways are narrowed and blocked
due to asthma, your peak flow values will
drop.
numbered scale
 Stand up straight
 Take a deep breath and your lungs all
the way
 Hold your breath while you place the
mouthpiece in your mouth, between
your teeth
 Close your lips around it. DO NOT put
your tongue against or inside the hole
 Blow out as hard and fast as you can in
a single blow
 Write down the number you get. If you
coughed or did not do the steps correct,
do not write down the number; redo the
steps.
 Move the marker back to the bottom and
repeat all these steps 2 more times. The
highest of the 3 numbers is your peak
flow number.
The peak flow reading should be taken
daily. If it falls below your safe zone you
MUST visit your doctor.
Produced by the Physiotherapy Services
For
further information contact Physiotherapy
Department, St Ann’s Bay Regional
Hospital at: 8769722272 ext. 5037 or 5128
8767703748
 What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder
of the airways that causes three primary
changes in the lungs:
 Inflammation (swelling) of the lining
of the airways
 Bronchoconstriction (tightening of the
bands of smooth muscles surrounding
the airways) which reduces the width
of the airways
 Excess mucus production that further
narrows the airways
Asthma is an obstructive disease that may
cause permanent changes (remodelling) if
not properly treated. Asthma is a disease
that cannot be cured but its symptoms can
be controlled.
Because asthma often changes over time,
it's important that you work with your
doctor to track your signs and symptoms
and adjust treatment as needed.
Causes of Asthma
The fundamental causes of asthma are not
completely understood.
The causes of asthma are different from one
person to another.
Risk Factors for Developing
Asthma
The strongest risk factors for developing
asthma are a combination of genetic
predisposition (inherited from parents or
history of a family member having asthma)
with environmental exposure to inhaled
substances and particles that may provoke
allergic reactions or irritate the airways.
Can Asthma be Cured?
No. Asthma is a chronic disease, which
most people will have for life. The severity
of asthma may vary over time, from no
symptoms to mild or moderate symptoms.
Asthma Triggers
Factors which irritate the airways and cause
asthma symptoms are called “asthma
triggers.”
Some common asthma triggers include:
 Animal dander (small particles from
fur, hair, feathers or skin)
 Cockroaches and their droppings
 Dust mites (tiny animals that live in
dust)
 Smoke, mainly tobacco smoke, second
hand smoke
 Molds, pollen, fungus, yeast spores
 Common cold / flu viruses
 Food allergies (peanuts, shell fish etc.)
and sulphite additives (chemicals used
to keep processed foods fresh)
 Weather changes
 Chemicals and strong scents (perfumes,
pesticides, cleaning agents, paints etc.)
Signs & Symptoms of Asthma
During an asthma attack, the sides of the
airways in your lungs swell, and the
airways shrink. Less air gets in and out of
your lungs. The attack may include:
 Wheezing
 begins suddenly,
 may be worse at night or early
morning,
 may get worse when exposed to
cold air,
 may get worse during exercise
 Dry frequent cough that may progress
to a wet cough as the attack progresses
 Excess mucus production Chest
tightness, chest pain
 Shortness of breath
 Increased breathing rate
 Heart palpitations
 Difficulty speaking a full sentence.
Some other symptoms that are sometimes
linked with asthma may include:
 Stuffy or runny nose
 Sinus problems
 Nasal polyps (growths inside the nose)