. Nurse demonstrating the use of a Becotide inhaler (left) and a peak flow meter (right) to a young male patient with asthma. The inhaler contains the corticosteroid drug beclomethasone dipropionate. The action of corticosteroids in asthma is not fully understood, but it is believed they give relief by reducing inflammation in the bronchial mucous membrane, causing less oedema (fluid retention) and hypersecretion of mucous. The peak flow meter is used to assess respiratory capacity by measuring 'peak flow', the maximum flow of exhaled air expressed in litres per minute. MODEL RELEASED

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