A peak flow meter is a portable handheld device used to measure how well a person with asthma can blow air out of the lungs. (Asthma narrows the airways, making breathing difficult.) The person blows into the meter and then checks the reading. Some people with asthma use a peak flow meter at home to see how well their asthma is being controlled. The meter can tell if the airways are getting narrow even before symptoms start. Peak flow measurements can help people with asthma work with their doctor to identify approaching asthma flare-ups, develop an asthma treatment plan, and know when to get medical care. Back to Articles Related Articles Asthma Center Visit our Asthma Center for information and advice on managing and living with asthma. Read More Asthma Center Asthma means breathing problems. Find out what's going on in the lungs and how to stay healthy, if you have it. Read More Word! Peak Flow Meter Lots of kids who have asthma use a special tool called a peak flow meter to measure how quickly they can push air out of their lungs. Read More Asthma Flare-Ups Find out how to deal with — and help prevent — asthma flare-ups ("attacks"), which is when asthma symptoms get worse. Read More Asthma Center Asthma keeps more kids home from school than any other chronic illness. Learn how to help your child manage the condition, stay healthy, and stay in school. Read More Asthma Asthma makes it hard to breathe. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Asthma Asthma is a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. Learn all about asthma here. Read More Managing Asthma Asthma control can take a little time and energy to master, but it's worth the effort. Learn more about ways to manage your child's asthma. Read More Dealing With an Asthma Flare-Up Asthma flare-ups, or attacks, can be handled, but it's even better if you can prevent them from happening. Find out how to deal with flare-ups. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.