Ben is an active teenager who occasionally struggled with breathing difficulties. He believed he had asthma and sometimes used an inhaler, but he wasn’t relying on it daily. He visited his doctor, and FeNO testing helped him get answers about his diagnosis.

Is it asthma?

Ben explained to his doctor that he only used his inhaler every now and then. He hadn’t been prescribed a regular asthma treatment, and no one had formally confirmed his asthma diagnosis. Given his age and sporadic inhaler use, his doctor took a closer look at his symptoms for a better understanding of his condition.

Clarity with FeNO

To investigate Ben’s condition, his doctor recommended a FeNO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) test. When Ben took the test, his FeNO level was only 5 parts per billion (ppb) – well within the normal range. This result indicated that Ben did not have the type of airway inflammation seen in asthma, meaning it was unlikely that asthma was causing his symptoms.

With this new information, Ben’s doctors re-evaluated his symptoms. After a thorough history and examination, they realised that Ben’s breathing difficulties were due to disordered breathing. 

With the asthma diagnosis ruled out, Ben’s doctor recommended a different approach, and he was taught diaphragmatic breathing techniques, which help to better utilise lung capacity and manage symptoms. These exercises gave Ben a way to control his breathing and relieve his symptoms without medication.

For Ben, FeNO testing was key in ruling out asthma and preventing him from receiving treatment he didn’t need. The test helped his healthcare team reach the right diagnosis of disordered breathing, enabling Ben to receive appropriate care and learn new ways to manage his symptoms.

This case study is based on true events. Names and ages have been changed for confidentiality.