Peak expiratory flow
Peak Expiratory Flow
The Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), also known as Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), is a person's maximum speed of expiration. It can be measured by a Peak flow meter or by a spirometer. It is a large part of the lung function test (also known as a pulmonary function test) and is highly important in monitoring the condition of patients with asthma.
Measurement[edit]
PEF can be measured using a peak flow meter, which is a simple, portable, inexpensive device. The patient takes a deep breath and then exhales into the device as hard and fast as possible. The measurement is typically taken in the morning and evening, and the results are recorded for comparison and trend analysis.
Clinical significance[edit]
PEF is a key measurement in the diagnosis and management of asthma. It can help to determine the severity of the asthma, monitor the response to treatment, and identify triggers. It is also used in the management of other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Limitations[edit]
While PEF is a useful tool, it has some limitations. It is effort-dependent, meaning the results can vary based on the patient's effort. It is also less accurate in measuring lower airway obstruction compared to other tests such as spirometry.
See also[edit]
 | |
|---|---|
 |
 |
References[edit]
<references />
External links[edit]
| Respiratory therapy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Medical tests | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This medical test related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
|
| Pulmonology topics | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This pulmonology-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
|
-
Peak flow meter horizontal view -
Peak flow meter -
Normal values for peak expiratory flow - EU scale
Ad. Transform your life with W8MD's
GLP-1 weight loss injections special from $29.99 with insurance
|
WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
