As far as I know, the Peak Flow is the only monitoring device. However, in some cases a peak flow reading can be misleading, especially if you have a good peak flow to start with. I wish there was another way to monitor asthma.
Yeah I've got a peak flow monitor but I was looking at like smart gadgets I can't believe in this day and age where a fitbit can tell me how fast my heart is beating and who's calling me... the good old white tube is still the best way of monitoring asthma?
I don't think most of the doctors understand asthma either. I called my GP's office yesterday because I was bad over the weekend. My GP wasn't available so I spoke to a different one. I asked if I should start taking my rescue steroids and he basically said "Do what you think best". I see my GP in a few weeks, but I feel sometimes like I am treating my asthma myself. Maybe I can do a better job!
You also have a pulse oximeter which gives away blood oxygen levels. Don't over monitor though J just think it's not healthy at all.
I don't intend to spend my life monitoring I was thinking of something I could wear maybe around the chest or wrist to monitor what I can automatically like a fitbit or a chest strap (I understand it won't be everything)
I already have a samsung smart watch which does me pulse automatically every hour
Have you tried the health app on the iPhone? I did a peak flow diary last year on this app and it was a pain near the end of the pollen season but it was a good experiment. I did however notice that I needed a asthma review all the meds were at the wrong times!
I have actually just downloaded asthma md for android (it appears to also be available for ios) and inputted my peak flows and inhalers into it and it's quite interesting
I like the look of adamm but it's not available in the UK or is still in development
There was a gadget you could fit to the end of your inhaler that simply monitored usage (by bluetooth ) however it's only available in the USA and for certain medical insurances
I'm just finding it difficult to believe that 25-30 years ago when I was first told I had asthma to now the only advances I've seen in treatment are:
Cfc free Inhalers
Coughing is now a recognised symptom of asthma
And spacers are smaller (aerovent where as ventolin spacers where the only one's available when I was a kid)
Yet asthma is a growing problem with a large number of people (I believe In the tens of millions just in the UK alone)
My tools are my peak flow meter and peak flow diary, peak flow meter from Dr's via prescription. Best ever things ever use, Three puffs and highest one recorded.
Weezer mentioned the Pulse Oximter (which I use) and which is less to do with taking a pulse and more to do with showing you when the quality of your circulating oxygen falls dangerously low. There are several pocket sized ones around the £30 Price Range.
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