What affects peak expiratory flow rate?
What affects peak expiratory flow rate?
The normal peak flow value can range from person to person and is dependent upon factors such as sex, age and height. PEFR is typically higher in males than females and higher in taller patients. After expected increases through childhood and adolescence, PEFR decreases with age from 30-40 years onwards (see Figure 1).
What does a high peak expiratory flow mean?
Peak flow readings are higher when patients are well, and lower when the airways are constricted. From changes in recorded values, patients and doctors may determine lung functionality, the severity of asthma symptoms, and treatment.
What is maximum expiratory flow rate?
Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is the maximum flow rate generated during a forceful exhalation, starting from full lung inflation. PEFR primarily reflects large airway flow and depends on the voluntary effort and muscular strength of the patient.
How do you increase your peak flow?
To keep your lungs healthy, do the following:
- Stop smoking, and avoid secondhand smoke or environmental irritants.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants.
- Get vaccinations like the flu vaccine and the pneumonia vaccine.
- Exercise more frequently, which can help your lungs function properly.
- Improve indoor air quality.
What affects peak flow?
People get different peak flow scores depending on their age, height, and gender. Peak flow can vary at different times of the day too. For example, it’s normal for your score to be slightly lower in the morning. The most important thing is whether your score is normal for you.
What factors limit maximum expiratory airflow?
Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) refers to a functional condition in which expiratory flow cannot increase and, hence, is maximal under the prevailing conditions. Many factors, alone or combined, may cause EFL. Among them, airway obstruction, expiratory flow rate and body posture are the most important.
What is fev1 in asthma?
Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) is the maximum amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second. It is used to describe the degree of airway obstruction caused by asthma in a routine test called spirometry or pulmonary function testing, using an instrument called a spirometer.
How can I improve my spirometry results?
