What to Expect After Undergoing Nitric Oxide Monitoring

Woman to an Oxygen Machine 3.9.18Nitric oxide (NO) amounts in the breath can help determine the source and degree of your breathing issues. By conducting a Nitric Oxide Monitoring test – also known as FeNO – your doctor can quickly identify whether inflammation is present and if asthma might be the underlying source of your symptoms, by measuring the amounts of nitric oxide in your breath.

The Nitric Oxide Monitoring Process

FeNo stands for the fraction of exhaled NO. Nitric oxide monitoring tests the levels of nitric oxide (FeNO) in your exhalations. You blow into a handheld mouthpiece that is connected to a machine that analyzes your exhaled breaths to accurately detect your NO levels. The analyzed results allows your doctor to make a diagnosis or adjust your asthma treatment.

Who Makes a Good Candidate for Nitric Oxide Monitoring?

People with pulmonary problems, such as asthma, make good candidates for Nitric Oxide Monitoring. As asthma involves inflammation in the airways, and FeNO testing allows your doctor to identify and determine the severity of your asthma activity.

The Benefits of Nitric Oxide Monitoring

  • Conveniently performed in your doctor’s office
  • Noninvasive procedure
  • Quick and accurate results
  • Identifies airway inflammation
  • Assists with diagnosing asthma
  • Accurately predicts how you may respond to anti-inflammatory/steroid treatment
  • Your doctor will be able track asthmatic inflammation and readjust therapy accordingly

The Recovery Process

There is no recovery process from Nitric Oxide Monitoring since you are simply breathing into the monitoring device, which is completely noninvasive.

Why Someone Would Need Nitric Oxide Monitoring

Asthma can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, as symptoms can appear to be caused by something different from asthma. Asthma is characterized by various respiratory symptoms that keep appearing, airflow limitations or obstructions, and contractions of the bronchial airways.

Other medical conditions can look like asthma, such as:

  • Chronic cough
  • GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Vocal cord problems
  • Bronchitis
  • COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Nitric Oxide Monitoring can help your doctor determine if you have asthma, or another medical condition. If you are diagnosis with asthma, FeNO can help clarify the level of airway inflammation, which helps determine or adjust treatment approaches.

Managing Your Asthma

With your doctor’s monitoring and help, managing your asthma is important to good health. Self-managing your asthma daily is key to breathing well, staying active, and keeping asthma symptoms down. Your doctor will prescribe a course of treatment to meet these goals, and it’s important that you follow the plan.  

For More Information on Nitric Oxide Monitoring

If you have shortness of breath or other chronic breathing issues, contact MXBowen, Physician P.C., Health & Breathing Center for an appointment. Dr.Bowen’s practice provides relief for  pulmonary symptoms.

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