Welcome to the world of asthma and its treatment. Here, we explore the remarkable realm of FeNO asthma testing—a tool that can revolutionize how you understand and control your asthma. Join us on this enlightening journey as we delve into the science, benefits, and practical aspects of FeNO. Get ready to take charge of your asthma like never before.
FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) testing is a non-invasive and quick method used to measure nitric oxide (NO) levels in your breath. Nitric oxide is a natural gas produced by your body, and its concentration in your breath can indicate airway inflammation, an important indicator of asthma.
Exhaled nitric oxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced in our bodies, performing various functions in our cardiovascular and immune systems. In severe asthma, nitric oxide is primarily produced in the airways, specifically by the lining of the bronchial tubes. Asthma causes the airways in the respiratory system to be inflamed, affecting lung functionality. Nitric oxide and its production in the body are directly related to this inflammation. Therefore, when the airways are inflamed, they produce more NO as part of the body’s response to irritation or allergens.
FeNo testing measures the amount of NO in the air exhaled. Breathing into a FeNo testing machine measures the nitric oxide concentration in the exhaled air. If the FeNo levels are too high, it can indicate the presence of asthma. These FeNo levels can vary in people with different forms of asthma. People with eosinophilic asthma, characterized by higher levels of white blood cells called eosinophils, have higher FeNo test scores. FeNo testing is an important tool for managing asthma and understanding sudden asthma exacerbations.
There are many advantages of conducting fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNo) tests for asthma control:
Let’s walk you through what you might expect when going for fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing:
Measuring the FeNo levels may sound complex, but it is a fairly simple process backed by sound scientific reasoning. Firstly, it is vital to understand the production of NO in our bodies. NO is a natural gas produced by various cells and tissues, including the cells lining the airways in the respiratory system. So when the airways on your body become inflamed, it triggers the production of higher amounts of NO, especially by the epithelial cells lining these airways.
A FeNo monitor captures the air exhaled by you. The sensors in this device detect the presence of NO in the air and express them in parts per billion (ppb). The readings are available almost instantly. These results indicate the severity of the condition; hence, it is important to interpret the readings displayed on the monitor. Low levels of FeNo (below 25 ppb) show that the inflammation is under control, and the asthma management is going well. Moderate levels are to be between 25 ppb and 50 ppb. This usually indicates a small degree of lung inflammability, and your doctor or healthcare provider needs to change some treatment decisions. Levels higher than 50 ppb are a sign of trouble and are a sign of significant airway inflammation. Serious changes are needed to put the treatment back on track.
A series of different factors can influence the FeNo results. The most important factor is, of course, the presence and severity of asthma. As established before, people with asthma have higher FeNo results. Allergen exposure is another factor that can influence FeNo results. This is why it is important to consider recent exposures of a person before conducting the final test. In addition to this, some medications, such as corticosteroids, can lower FeNO results over time as they reduce airway inflammation. Likewise, some other infections apart from asthma can increase levels of FeNo, so a proper asthma test is needed to confirm the presence of asthma.
There are several limitations and possible risks associated with testing FeNo. As explained, factors like allergen exposure, medicines, and some respiratory infections can influence the test results. Hence, it is wise to consider other testing methods and not rely solely on the results of FeNo. Moreover, the equipment and expertise required to conduct the test are very specialized, making the procedure more costly and out of reach for many people.
This test requires a great deal of patient cooperation to be successful, which limits its scope and reach. Children or individuals with cognitive impairments may have difficulty following the test instructions precisely. Most importantly, it must be kept in mind that this test doesn’t provide a specific diagnosis of asthma, and other tests may be needed to confirm the presence of asthma. The results you get after the test must be interpreted by a qualified medical person.
Incorporating testing of FeNo into your asthma treatment and management can be a game-changer. With its ability to provide precise insights into your airway inflammation, it empowers you to take control of your asthma like never before. Don’t wait—talk to a healthcare provider like Gwinnett Pulmonary and Sleep about the benefits of FeNO tests today and unlock a brighter, healthier future. Your journey to better asthma control begins here.
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