May We Have 10 Seconds of Your Time?
We are excited to announce we are now able to perform FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) testing in our office! FeNO levels are measured by a device called the Niox Mino. This is a simple non-invasive procedure where the patient blows into a small mouthpiece. Within 10 seconds, we have a direct measurement of lung inflammation.
Why is this important? Asthma symptoms are driven by underlying inflammation in the small airways of the lungs. Up until now, we could only measure lung function but not lung inflammation. Treatment of asthma is directed at controlling and preventing lung inflammation. Traditionally, assessment of asthma has been done by 1) symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, chest tightness) and 2) lung function by spirometry.
FeNO testing can be performed by adults and school-aged children over 7 years of age. The total test time is under 2 minutes and only takes 10 seconds of active patient participation time.
By measuring lung inflammation, we can accurately assess a person’s lung inflammation. Your asthma may be detected before you have symptoms and this allows for medication adjustments. The regular use of an inhaled steroid lowers the amount of exhaled nitric oxide as it lowers the airway inflammation. If FeNO levels remain high, this suggests inflammation may still be present and signals a need for a change in the asthma treatment plan.
This state-of-the-art technology for diagnosing and monitoring patients is available now at Family Allergy & Asthma Care of Montnana. Every breath tells a story!
Feel free to watch the Niox Mino at work from the attached video clip from the TV show The Dr’s.
Very cool! Great to hear you are on the cutting edge in your practice.