Why is this procedure done?
Nitric oxide is a chemical naturally made in your body. You may hear it called NO' or nitric. It makes your blood vessels open wider. When your airways are swollen or inflamed, your body makes more nitric oxide. Patients with asthma have higher nitric oxide levels than normal. ‚
An exhaled nitric oxide test is also called an eNO test. It may done to help confirm if a patient has asthma or other lung conditions that can make the lungs and air passages swell. It can also be used to watch a patient's response to treatments. It can help show whether your asthma is under control as well. ‚
What will the results be?
- The doctor will look at the results of your test and what is normal. The doctor will learn more about your lung problems.
- If the results are normal, it means you likely do not have inflammation in your airways.
- If the results are not normal, you may have an illness that causes swelling in your airways. Then you may have problems breathing.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
- Your doctor may order other tests, like peak flow and spirometry, to confirm the diagnosis.
What happens before the procedure?
Talk to your doctor about what you need to do to get ready for this test. Your doctor may ask you to avoid doing these things for at least 2 to 3 hours before the test: ‚
- Using an asthma inhaler
- Exercising
- Smoking
- Brushing your teeth and using mouthwash
- Eating and drinking
What happens during the procedure?
- You will sit next to a machine.
- You will place padded nose clips on your nose and put your mouth around a mouthpiece. This mouthpiece is attached to a computer machine. It that will measure the amount of nitric oxide in your breath.
- You will breathe in deeply and fill your lungs with air. Then, you will breathe out slowly, at a steady rate.
- You may be asked to repeat this a few times.
- The test takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
- You may go home and return to your normal activities, unless your doctor told you otherwise.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to a lung expert called a pulmonologist if your test result turns out to be higher than normal.
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/asthma/start/2 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚