Peak expiratory flow
Peak Expiratory Flow
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), also known as Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) is a person's maximum speed of expiration, as measured with a peak flow meter, a small, hand-held device used to monitor a person's ability to breathe out air. It measures the airflow through the bronchi and thus the degree of obstruction in the airways.
Pronunciation
Peak Expiratory Flow: /piːk ˌɛkspɪˈrætəri floʊ/
Etymology
The term "Peak Expiratory Flow" is derived from the English language. "Peak" refers to the maximum point, "Expiratory" refers to the act of exhaling, and "Flow" refers to the movement of air.
Related Terms
- Asthma: A condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
- Bronchi: The main passageway into the lungs.
- Peak Flow Meter: A handheld device that measures how well air moves out of your lungs.
- Spirometry: A common office test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale.
Usage
Peak Expiratory Flow is used to monitor the condition of a person's lungs. It is often used in the diagnosis and management of asthma. The Peak Expiratory Flow can indicate the severity of asthma, the response to treatment, and can help in the early detection of an asthma attack.
Measurement
The Peak Expiratory Flow is measured using a peak flow meter. The person takes a deep breath and then exhales into the peak flow meter as hard and as fast as possible. The measurement is usually taken in the morning and evening, and the results are recorded for comparison.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Peak expiratory flow
- Wikipedia's article - Peak expiratory flow
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski