| A peak flow meter provides a good way to keep | | | | meter until the child is fourteen to sixteen years old. |
| tabs on symptoms and airway conditions. This small | | | | Peak flow meters are inexpensive and available |
| handheld device measures how much air a child can | | | | without a prescription at any pharmacy. Ask your |
| breathe out. If her airways are starting to swell and | | | | doctor or nurse practitioner which type is best for |
| tighten with asthma flare, the peak flow reading will | | | | your child. To keep the readings consistent, stick with |
| drop. Although the peak flow meter is a valuable tool | | | | the same brand when you buy a new one. For |
| for asthma management, it is not for every-one. | | | | younger children with smaller lung capacity, you may |
| Children younger than age five or six usually can't use | | | | want to choose a low-range model instead of the |
| it. An adult should supervise the use of a peak flow | | | | regular adult kind. |