Peak Flow Meter, Using the Zone System: Teen Version

What is the zone system?

The zone system is an easy way to check if your asthma is in good control, if you need to take medicine, or if you need to get help right away. The peak flow can be marked with 3 colored zones (green, yellow, and red). This makes it easy to read. The zones are different for each person. The zones are based on your personal best peak flow reading. Your personal best is determined by checking and recording your peak flow twice a day for 2 weeks while you are healthy. Your healthcare provider will help you figure out the right number range for each zone. Many peak flow meters come with a sticker to mark the zones.

An asthma action plan is a written plan developed by your healthcare provider to help you manage asthma and prevent asthma attacks. It is based on your peak flow zone.

What do the zones mean?

The colored zones on the peak flow meter are modeled after the traffic light.

• Green means good control (80-100% of personal best reading)
• Yellow means caution (50% to 80% of personal best reading)
• Red zone danger (less than 50% of personal best reading)

Green zone: When the reading is in the green zone, it means your asthma is under control.

You should:

• continue to take your long-term control medicine (controller) as prescribed
• continue with everyday activities (school, sports, etc.).

If you have stayed in the green zone for at least 3 months, your healthcare provider may adjust your medicine.

Yellow Zone: If your reading is in the yellow zone, it means you are probably having asthma symptoms or may soon have symptoms (asthma attack). You may have trouble with normal activities or having symptoms at night.

You should:

• Take your quick-relief (reliever) medicine as prescribed.
• Take note of any changes that may have caused your asthma to get worse (for example, forgetting to take your medicine or being around cigarette smoke).

If you are often in the yellow zone, or your peak flow reading stays in the yellow zone after treatment, it means your asthma is not under good control. Talk to your provider about adjusting your medicine.

Red Zone: If your reading is in the red zone, it means your asthma is dangerously out of control. You will probably have serious asthma symptoms such as extreme shortness of breath (even at rest), chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble talking when this happens.

You should:

• Take your quick-relief medicine (reliever) as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Call your healthcare provider or go to emergency room. Note: Check with your healthcare provider about how long you should wait to seek emergency help if the quick-relief medicine does not return you to the yellow or green zones.
• Call 911 if you are having severe trouble breathing and your medicine is not helping.