A FeNO test is a noninvasive diagnostic procedure that measures nitric oxide concentration in exhaled breath. Breathing into a FeNO testing machine measures nitric oxide levels, which serve as a direct indicator of airway inflammation in the lungs.
High levels of exhaled nitric oxide typically indicate ongoing inflammatory processes in the airways, making this test particularly valuable for diagnosing and monitoring asthma.
This simple breathing test provides your healthcare provider with important information about what’s happening inside your lungs. FeNO testing helps determine the level of inflammation present in patients with allergic or eosinophilic asthma and can guide treatment decisions.
The test results enable your doctor to evaluate how effectively your current medications control inflammation and determine if any adjustments are necessary.
A FeNO test measures the concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled breath, providing insight into airway inflammation levels. This non-invasive diagnostic tool has become increasingly important in assessing and managing respiratory conditions, particularly asthma.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing is a valuable biomarker in respiratory medicine. When you undergo this test, you breathe into a specialized machine that precisely measures the nitric oxide levels in your exhaled breath.
This quantifiable measurement helps healthcare providers assess the degree of inflammation in your airways. FeNO testing is beneficial for diagnosing and monitoring asthma, particularly in cases of allergic or eosinophilic asthma.
Your doctor may use FeNO results alongside other clinical assessments to determine the effectiveness of your current treatment plan. The test provides objective data that complements traditional spirometry and symptom evaluation assessment methods.
FeNO testing can provide additional evidence to guide treatment decisions for patients with suspected asthma but unclear diagnoses.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule your body produces naturally throughout various tissues, including the airways. When you exhale, the NO concentration in your breath can be precisely measured using specialized equipment.
Normal FeNO levels typically range between 5 and 5 parts per billion (ppb), though this can vary based on age, height, and other factors. Higher readings often indicate more significant airway inflammation.
Several factors can influence your FeNO results:
The quick and painless test requires you to exhale steadily into the testing device for approximately 10 seconds. Results are available immediately, allowing for real-time clinical decision-making.
Elevated nitric oxide in your exhaled breath directly correlates with eosinophilic airway inflammation, a key feature in many asthma cases. When your airways become inflamed, inflammatory cells release substances that increase NO production by activating enzymes in the bronchial walls.
This relationship makes FeNO testing particularly valuable for identifying subtypes of asthma, whether allergic or eosinophilic. High FeNO levels suggest your asthma may respond well to inhaled corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory treatments.
Your doctor can use FeNO measurements to:
Regularly monitoring your FeNO levels can help track changes in inflammation over time, enabling more personalized treatment adjustments.
FeNO testing offers healthcare providers valuable insights into airway inflammation levels through a simple breath test. This non-invasive procedure has become essential in respiratory care, providing objective data that helps with diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term management.
FeNO testing is a powerful diagnostic tool for asthma, particularly in cases involving allergic or eosinophilic inflammation. Elevated nitric oxide levels in the breath often indicate Type 2 inflammation in the airways, a hallmark of asthma.
Normal FeNO values typically range below 25 parts per billion (ppb) for adults and 20 ppb for children. Levels between 25 and 50 ppb suggest mild inflammation, while readings above 50 ppb strongly indicate significant airway inflammation consistent with asthma.
FeNO testing helps differentiate asthma from other conditions with similar symptoms, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), vocal cord dysfunction, or chronic cough. This distinction is crucial as treatment approaches vary significantly between these conditions.
Your FeNO levels provide objective evidence of how effectively your anti-inflammatory medications are working. Decreasing FeNO readings typically indicates that your current treatment regimen successfully controls inflammation.
Regular FeNO monitoring allows your doctor to:
Many patients experience a decrease in FeNO levels within days of starting effective corticosteroid therapy, making this test more responsive than some traditional measures of lung function.
FeNO testing helps physicians make personalized treatment decisions based on a patient’s inflammatory status. High FeNO levels may indicate the need to start or increase corticosteroid medications to control inflammation.
Persistently elevated FeNO despite standard treatments might suggest:
Conversely, consistently low FeNO readings might allow your doctor to safely reduce medication dosages, minimizing potential side effects while maintaining reasonable asthma control.
Gwinnett Pulmonary Group employs a standardized approach to FeNO testing, ensuring the accurate measurement of nitric oxide levels in exhaled breath. Their specialized equipment and trained technicians work together to provide reliable results that help guide asthma treatment decisions.
The FeNO test at Gwinnett Pulmonary begins with proper positioning. You’ll be seated comfortably while a respiratory technician explains the procedure.
The technician will provide a mouthpiece connected to the FeNO measurement device. You’ll be instructed to inhale deeply through the mouthpiece, filling your lungs with nitric oxide-free air.
This establishes a clean baseline for measurement. Then, you’ll exhale steadily into the device at a controlled rate.
The equipment monitors your breath flow rate, ensuring it remains within the optimal range of 50 mL/second. A visual feedback display helps you maintain this rate throughout the 10-second exhalation period.
The entire breathing procedure is typically repeated 2-3 times to ensure consistent results. The complete test takes approximately 5-10 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick addition to your regular pulmonary appointment.
At Gwinnett Pulmonary, your FeNO test results are available immediately after the procedure is completed. The results are measured in parts per billion (ppb) of nitric oxide in your exhaled breath.
Generally, readings below 25 ppb indicate low levels of inflammation in adults. Measurements between 25-50 ppb suggest moderate inflammation, while readings above 50 ppb indicate significant airway inflammation likely related to eosinophilic or allergic asthma.
Your pulmonologist will interpret these values in context with your medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic tests. The FeNO results help distinguish between asthma phenotypes and predict responsiveness to corticosteroid treatment.
The test may be repeated over time to monitor your response to therapy. Decreasing FeNO levels often indicate that inflammation is being successfully controlled, while persistent or increasing levels may suggest the need for treatment adjustments.
For optimal FeNO test results at Gwinnett Pulmonary, you should avoid eating, drinking, or exercising for at least one hour before your appointment. These activities can temporarily alter the levels of nitric oxide in your breath.
If you use inhaled medications, inform your provider beforehand. Short-acting bronchodilators should be avoided for at least 4 hours before testing.
Long-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids may need to be paused for 12 to 24 hours. Smoking significantly affects nitric oxide levels, so you should refrain from smoking for at least one hour before the test.
Respiratory infections can elevate FeNO readings. If you have a cold or other respiratory illness, testing may be postponed.
Be prepared to disclose any nitrate-rich foods, like leafy greens, you’ve consumed recently. These can temporarily increase exhaled nitric oxide levels.
FeNO testing is a simple yet powerful tool that measures nitric oxide levels in your exhaled breath to assess airway inflammation. It helps your doctor identify asthma, monitor the effectiveness of your medication, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. FeNO testing ensures that asthma care is more precise, personalized, and proactive by offering immediate and actionable insights.
Curious about your nitric oxide levels?
Schedule a FeNO test with Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep and get expert insights into your respiratory health with results delivered on the spot.
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