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If your symptoms are deteriorating or you have any concerns, please make an appointment to the respiratory nurse or a doctor as well.
What is it?
FeNO devices are a novel medical technology used to aid in the diagnosis of asthma. FeNO measures fractional exhaled nitric oxide in the breath of patients. Nitric oxide is a biomarker for asthma which provides an indication of the level of inflammation in the lungs. FeNO testing produces a FeNO score which gives a value to the level of inflammation and can therefore be used to aid in the diagnosis of asthma. Although FeNO is primarily a diagnostic tool, it has an additional use in the ongoing monitoring of chronic asthma.
What are the benefits?
- FeNO can improve patient care and outcomes through aiding more accurate and effective diagnosis of asthma.
- FeNO can be used to confirm diagnosis improving misdiagnosis rates for asthma and leading to more appropriate referral to secondary care
- The possibility of using FeNO for dose adjustments and monitoring purposes could result in a reduction in inappropriate inhaler prescribing.
- The simplicity of FeNO testing means that anyone can use a FeNO device. This would reduce dependency on GPs within primary care as FeNO testing could be conducted by a practice nurse or other healthcare professional.
- FeNO increases patient understanding of their condition as they can relate to their FeNO score.
INHALERS CARBON FOOTPRINT
Did you know??
Salbutamol MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) aerosol inhaler has a carbon footprint equivalent from Burnham to driving to Sheffield
Salbutamol DPI (Dry Powder Inhaler) has a carbon footprint of 4 miles
Speak to our Respiratory nurses to see if you can be switched
Why choose an environmentally friendly inhaler
Why Choose Environmentally Friendly Inhalers
You use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) for your lung condition. These are the most common type of inhaler used in the UK. MDIs contain a gas (propellant) in a metal canister that you press down into a plastic case to release the medicine into your lungs. Inhalers are a vital part of your treatment. It’s really important that you continue to take your inhalers as prescribed, to keep your lungs healthy.
The gas in your current inhaler is a powerful greenhouse gas. This means that when the gas is released, it stays in the air and traps the sun’s heat, like glass in a greenhouse. This warms the planet which is a problem for the climate. Climate change increases air pollution which can worsen lung conditions.
Surveys have shown that most patients with inhalers want to try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their inhalers. There are many ways to achieve this, including changing the way you use and dispose of your inhalers, or switching to a different more environmentally friendly inhaler.
The NHS supports the change to environmentally friendly inhalers if this is the right choice for you. NHS research has shown that people are willing to change to environmentally friendly inhalers.
Environmentally friendly inhalers which do not contain a greenhouse gas are dry powder inhalers (DPI) or soft mist inhalers (SMIs). Not all patients can use these sorts of inhalers, although many patients find them easier to use. They all come with dose counters, making it easier to keep a track of your medicines. With DPIs you don’t need to co-ordinate pressing and breathing in at the same time. Some DPIs have the benefit of being once-daily inhalers that work for 24 hours.
Some MDIs contain a smaller amount of greenhouse gas than other MDIs, making them more environmentally friendly.
Some MDIs contain a powerful greenhouse gas. Other MDIs contain a less powerful greenhouse gas and so are more environmentally friendly.
The interactive link below may help you see the differences in the inhalers footprint
Carbon Footprint Comparison Tool