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Nitric oxide test for asthma
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nitric-oxide-test/MY00179
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Definition
An exhaled nitric oxide test is one of several tests that can be used to check for asthma. It involves breathing into a mouthpiece attached to a machine that measures the level of nitric oxide gas in your breath. Nitric oxide is produced by the body normally, but high levels in your breath can mean that your airways are inflamed — a sign of asthma.
To better understand your nitric oxide test results, your doctor may ask you detailed questions about asthma signs and symptoms. You may need other tests to see how well your lungs are working, such as peak flow measurement and spirometry tests.
Why it's done
Nitric oxide testing is done to help diagnose asthma or to see how well asthma medications are working. If you've already been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor may use a nitric oxide test during office visits to help determine whether your asthma is under control.
A nitric oxide test alone can't accurately diagnose asthma or measure asthma severity. For this reason, your doctor may have you take additional tests and will consider other information when examining the results of nitric oxide tests.
Nitric oxide testing is only available in some hospitals and doctor's offices. It may not be necessary or provide useful information for everyone who has asthma.
How you prepare
Check ahead of time to see whether nitric oxide testing is covered by your insurance.
To make sure test results are accurate, you will need to avoid the following for at least two hours before you take the test:
- Using an asthma inhaler
- Eating and drinking
- Exercising
- Using tobacco, toothpaste or mouthwash
What you can expect
To do this test, you'll be seated. Your doctor will have you put in a mouthpiece attached with a tube that leads to an electronic measurement device. Next, you'll breathe in for two or three seconds until your lungs are filled with air. Your doctor will then have you exhale steadily so that the air flows out of your lungs at a steady rate. Your doctor may have you watch a computer monitor that registers how much you're breathing out so that you can maintain a steady exhalation. You'll need to repeat the test a few times to confirm your results. The entire test generally takes five minutes or less.
Results
Higher than normal levels of nitric oxide generally mean your airways are inflamed — a sign of asthma.
- Levels under about 20 parts per billion in children and under about 30 parts per billion in adults are considered normal.
- More than 25 parts per billion in children and 35 parts per billion in adults may signal airway inflammation caused by asthma.
Keep in mind, nitric oxide test results can vary widely from person to person. When interpreting test results, your doctor will consider a number of other factors. These may include:
- Results of other tests, such as peak flow tests or spirometry tests
- Past nitric oxide test results
- Your asthma signs and symptoms
- Any medications you take
- Whether you have a cold or the flu
- Whether you have hay fever or other allergies
- Dinakar C. Exhaled nitric oxide in pediatric asthma. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 2009;9:30.
- Budev MM, et al. Battery of maneuvers. In: Carey WD, et al. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00169-7--s0020&isbn=978-1-4160-6643-9&sid=1098987055&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00169-7--s0135&uniqId=230624543-7#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6643-9..00169-7--s0135. Accessed Dec. 23, 2010.
- Barnes PJ, et al. Exhaled nitric oxide in pulmonary diseases. Chest. 2010;138;682.
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 4, 2010.
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