Asthma Support Service

At Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy, we are delighted to be one of the first Pharmacies in the world to be offering a new Asthma Support Service using a FeNO test device along with other checks and support tools. This new service will help people with asthma better understand and manage their condition and will help  you to ascertain your level of asthma control and will aid your Asthma Management Plan. 

The service will include the following : 

• Asthma Control Questionnaire
• FeNO Test
• Peak Flow Measurement
• Inhaler Technique Check

Knowing your numbers can help you, your doctor and asthma care team recognise how well you are being controlled and avoid asthma attacks.

FeNO Test (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide)

What is FeNO?

A FeNO test or exhaled nitric oxide test, is a way to determine how much lung inflammation is present and how well inhaled steroids are suppressing this inflammation in patients with allergic or eosinophilic asthma. With allergic or eosinophilic asthma, sometimes you may feel your breathing is fine, but when you measure your exhaled nitric oxide, it may still be significantly elevated, and you might do better in the long-term using slightly more of your inhaled steroid to suppress this inflammation.

Why is it important?                                      

FeNO is useful to help you build a better understanding of your asthma and to manage it with the support of your doctor and pharmacist. The FeNO test measures inflammation in your airways. If the inflammation is not treated it can cause life threatening asthma attacks.

By knowing what kind of asthma you have, you can:

• Understand your medication better
• Recognise when your medicines are working well
• Avoid life threatening asthma attacks

How can I get a FeNO Test?

The FeNO Test is available for children as young as 4 years of age and adults living with asthma at Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy. The service is by provided by specially trained CarePlus Pharmacists. To book an appointment click here or click on the "Book Now" button on bottom right hand corner of page. 

How the FeNO Test is done:                                     

The FeNO test is safe and easy to do for adults and children.

You will take a big breath in and then gently breathe out through the filtered mouthpiece into a small portable device for approximately 10 seconds. The test is much easier to do than other asthma tests such as spirometry or peak flow. The device shows the reading on its screen.

How to prepare for the FeNO Test:                        

Ahead of the test, there are a few things that you should try to avoid to ensure that the test is effective:

Prior to your appointment

• Leave in plenty of time and avoid exerting yourself at least 1 hour.
• Avoid smoking at least 1 hour before your test.
• Hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol should be avoided for at least 1 hour before your test.
• Avoid nitrate rich foods such as green leafy vegetables (i.e. celery, leek, beetroot, lettuce and spinach) at least 3 hours before.

Peak Flow Measurement

What is peak flow?

Peak flow is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It's often used to help diagnose and monitor asthma.

Why might I need peak flow measurement?

Peak flow measurement using a peak flow meter is useful for people with asthma. During an asthma flare-up, the large airways in the lungs slowly begin to narrow. This slows the speed of air moving through the lungs. A peak flow meter can help show the narrowing of the airways well before an asthma attack happens. A peak flow meter can help you determine:

• When to get emergency medical care
• How well an asthma treatment plan is working
• When to stop or add medicine as directed by your healthcare provider
• What triggers an asthma attack, such as exercise

A peak flow meter can help you manage asthma. It can give you and your healthcare provider information about how open the airways are in your lungs.

Inhaler Technique Check

What is Inhaler technique? 

This is how you use your inhaler. Correct technique is specific to the inhaler type, so you need to understand the right steps for
your type of inhaler.

As part of the new Asthma Support Service launch all tests and checks included in this service will be FREE for a limited time.

Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy

Welcome to Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy - our team are dedicated to looking after you and your family. Our primary goal is to make life easier for you in any way we can and to offer expert advice and extended services for your health and well-being.

Carrigaline CarePlus Pharmacy was opened by Nigel Moloney in September 2017 and has since become an integral part of the community in Carrigaline, Crosshaven, Minane Bridge, Fountainstown, Myrtleville and the surrounding areas.

Nigel and the team are committed to providing the very best pharmacy services and expertise to the community in Carrigaline and beyond. We look forward to looking after you and your family.

Address: Carrigaline CarePlus Primary Care Centre Estuary Business Park, Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, Co. Cork, P43 PX99
Tel:  021-475 7083
Email: carrigalinepharmacy@careplus.ie
Opening Hours
Mon- Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm Sat: 9:30am - 12:30pm Sun: Closed

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What Is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric Oxide is a gas produced by cells involved in the inflammation associated with allergic or Type 2 eosinophilic asthma .

• How Is Nitric Oxide Measured?
The FeNO test, which stands for the Fractional concentration of exhaled Nitric Oxide, is performed using a portable device that measures the level of Nitric Oxide in parts per billion (PPB) in the air you slowly exhale out of your lungs. The exhaled Nitric Oxide test is different from most lung function tests in that you need to blow slowly and steadily, not hard and fast, to get an accurate measurement.

• Why Is Nitric Oxide Measured?
Your GP may want to check your exhaled Nitric Oxide level to see if you have the typical inflammation associated with allergic or Type 2 eosinophilic asthma during the process of establishing the diagnosis of allergic or Type 2 eosinophilic asthma. Your GP may get your Nitric oxide level rechecked by your CarePlus Pharmacist to verify the steroid inhalers you are using are suppressing the inflammation and Nitric Oxide level.
Successful control of your asthma depends upon a partnership between you and your asthma team/GP and CarePlus Pharmacist. Your GP can use data from FeNO testing along with other lung function tests to design and adjust your medication to keep your asthma under optimal control. Your CarePlus Pharmacist is also available to support you and your asthma management.

• Is the FeNO test suitable for children?
FeNO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing is suitable for children aged 4 and above. As measurement requires patient cooperation, some children below the age of 7 may require additional coaching and encouragement. FeNO testing can play an important role in the diagnosis and management of their asthma.

• What Does Checking FeNO Levels Do?
If you have already been diagnosed with asthma, tracking your FeNO levels:
• Determines if your current management plan is working properly and how your medicines may need to be increased or reduced
• May identify what type of asthma you have
• Can track your airway inflammation over time
• Can tell you and your doctor if you have been taking your medicines correctly
If you have not been diagnosed with asthma, a FeNO test:
• Can support your asthma diagnosis
• Helps your doctor know how well you may respond to corticosteroids
• Can rule out other conditions that have symptoms like asthma, for example such as allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnoea, and postnasal drip

• Should I Get a FeNO Test?
Talk to your CarePlus Pharmacist or GP about having a FeNO test if:
• You have respiratory symptoms that won’t go away but you don’t know if you have asthma
• You have asthma but your medicines and treatment plan aren’t reducing your symptoms
• You have asthma and you are prescribed a preventer inhaler (usually steroid) • You have asthma and you need to use your rescue inhaler (usually blue) more than once per month