Tag: Bedfont

Bedfont® Scientific Ltd. acquires US-based company coVita™, marking the next chapter in its global growth

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Bedfont®, a world leader in breath analysis, announces its acquisition of coVita™, building on 16 years of partnership, market knowledge, and established infrastructure to support global expansion.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a leading MedTech company with 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing medical breath analysis devices, has taken the next step in its global expansion by acquiring coVita™ LLC. The acquisition positions Bedfont® to further penetrate the US market with its innovative breath analysis devices, including the NObreath® Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) device.

coVita™, a US medical device company based in The Woodlands, Texas, has served as Bedfont’s US distributor for more than 16 years, helping expand its breath analysis technologies across the US. With its extensive knowledge, coVita™ has provided valuable insight into the US healthcare market, helping Bedfont® understand local needs, navigate market opportunities, and strengthen its presence across the region.

“This acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for Bedfont® and builds on the strong relationship we have developed with coVita™ over many years. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to improving healthcare through accessible, simple and non-invasive breath analysis.” Says Jason Smith, CEO of Bedfont®. “By bringing our expertise together and strengthening our presence in the US, we can reach more healthcare professionals, researchers and ultimately patients, helping to improve access to breath testing and support better healthcare outcomes.”

Bedfont & coVita Bedfont acquires coVita

“For more than 16 years, we’ve had the privilege of bringing Bedfont’s breath analysis technology to healthcare professionals across the US, and we’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes in clinical practice,” says Jason Aversano, Co-founder and CEO of coVita™. “Becoming part of Bedfont® is a natural next step in that journey. Our leadership and team will remain the same, so our customers can expect the same people and the same dedicated local support they know and trust. What changes is the pace. With Bedfont’s full resources behind us, we’ll be able to grow faster, reach more clinicians and support more research across the US and world.”

After Keensight’s majority stake in Bedfont® in 2025, this marks another new chapter in Bedfont’s history. The acquisition allows Bedfont® to continue building on coVita’s success, especially in the US FeNO market. As Bedfont® puts more focus on clinical research, a US base provides access to a major clinical research market and enables localised distribution, training, and technical support.

The announcement coincides with coVita’s attendance at this year’s CHEST annual meeting. The event brings together healthcare professionals interested in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. Taking place between the 18th and 21st of October in Phoenix, Arizona, coVita™ will be at booth 1263, showcasing the innovative NObreath® FeNO device.

Building on its long-standing partnership with coVita™, Bedfont® combines its breath analysis expertise with established US market knowledge and infrastructure, strengthening NObreath’s proposition for multicentre clinical trials and improving access to objective testing to aid asthma diagnosis and management. To learn more about Bedfont®, visit the website here.

Bedfont® brings hydrogen and methane breath testing to the global stage at UEG Week 2026

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World leaders in breath analysis will showcase its Gastrolyzer® range at one of the leading international events for digestive health.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a world leader in breath analysis with 50 years of industry experience, is pleased to attend this year’s United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week in Barcelona to showcase the innovative Gastrolyzer® range of devices. As a leading international congress for the digestive health community, UEG focuses on scientific research, education, clinical practice, and industry innovation. With over 30 years of expertise in hydrogen and methane breath testing (HMBT) with the Gastrolyzer® for gastrointestinal investigation, Bedfont® aims to improve awareness of its non-invasive breath testing technology for gastrointestinal disorders.

Established in 1992, UEG Week has become a leading congress for gastroenterology and digestive health, with over 11,000 people attending last year’s congress in Berlin. This year, the congress will be held at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from 17th to 20th October. It will bring together the global digestive health community to share the latest research, clinical developments and innovations in Gastroenterology.

Bedfont® at UEG Week

Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®, comments, “Improving access to effective digestive health testing is an important global priority, with more than 40% of people worldwide estimated to experience functional gastrointestinal disorders1. At Bedfont®, we believe breath analysis plays an important role in helping healthcare professionals investigate digestive health in a simple, non-invasive way. UEG Week provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with the global gastroenterology community, share knowledge and demonstrate how our Gastrolyzer® range can help improve patient care.”

For over 35 years, the Gastrolyzer® range has helped detect gastrointestinal disorders, one breath at a time. The range includes the Gastro+™, a hand-held portable hydrogen device, and the GastroCH4ECK® desktop hydrogen and methane device, which can conduct remote testing.

Joining the Bedfont® team in Barcelona will be Dr Jafar Jafari, Head of Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Physiology at Guy’s and St Thomas’, founder of GI Cognition, and member of the Bedfont® Medical Advisory Board. He will be there to discuss his book, ‘The Essential Guide to Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing ’, and provide invaluable clinical expertise on the stand. You can find the team at stand 29 from 18th to 20th October, where you can find out more about the Gastrolyzer® range and see it in action with live demonstrations. For more information, visit the website here.

References:

  1. Sperber AD, Bangdiwala SI, Drossman DA, Ghoshal UC, Simren M, Tack J, et al. Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study. Gastroenterology [Internet]. 2020 Apr [cited 2026 Sept 9];160(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32294476/

Bedfont® Scientific One Step Closer to Improving Smoking Cessation in Latin America

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Smokerlyzer® registration with Medicah S.A.S in Colombia boosts quit-smoking services in the region.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, an innovative MedTech company with nearly 50 years of experience in the breath analysis industry, is pleased to collaborate with Medicah S.A.S through a new registration for the Smokerlyzer® range of carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring devices. The partnership aims to improve smoking cessation services across Colombia.

Bedfont® has been helping people to quit smoking with its Smokerlyzer® range for over 40 years. The Smokerlyzer® range measures levels of CO in parts per million (ppm) on exhaled breath, helping to establish a person’s smoking status. Monitoring CO levels and seeing them drop during a quit attempt provides smokers with a motivational aid to quit smoking.

Medicah S.A.S, a distributor of medical technology, supports hospitals, clinics and diagnostic providers through product supply and after-sales service. Already a distributor of the Bedfont® NObreath® Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) device, Medicah S.A.S. is chosen for its shared commitment to improving patient outcomes, with the Smokerlyzer® range an important addition to its product catalogue.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Medicah through the registration of our Smokerlyzer® range in Colombia. Having successfully worked together to bring our NObreath® to healthcare professionals across the region, we are proud that this latest addition strengthens Medicah’s respiratory diagnostics portfolio and reinforces our shared commitment to improving patient care.” Said Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®.

CO monitoring plays a vital role in smoking cessation programmes and respiratory health management, providing clinicians with an objective and immediate measure to support behaviour change and treatment decisions.

Whilst Colombia is considered a relatively low-smoking country in Latin America, the latest registration of the Smokerlyzer® range of CO monitoring devices provides an additional tool, making this technology more widely available, allowing healthcare providers to deliver more effective interventions and improve patient outcomes throughout Colombia and the surrounding areas.

Bedfont® Improves Smoking Cessation

To learn more about the Smokerlyzer® range of CO monitoring devices, visit the website here.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited recognised among Investec’s selected investments for 2025

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Bedfont®, a world leader in breath analysis, has been recognised as one of Investec Direct Lending’s selected investments for 2025 following Keensight Capital’s majority investment in the company. The inclusion highlights Bedfont’s position as a leading UK medical technology innovator and reflects confidence from both Keensight and Investec in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Why is this important?

Being featured in Investec Direct Lending’s Sustainability Report reflects confidence in Bedfont’s long-term growth and responsible approach to innovation. With a vision of a world where everyone has access to instant, non-invasive breath testing to aid medical diagnosis, Bedfont® continues to develop technologies that improve patient care while supporting a more sustainable future for healthcare. The investment from Keensight provides a strong foundation for the company’s continued innovation, international expansion and long-term sustainable growth.

Investec Recognises Bedfont Investment

For more than 50 years, Bedfont® has worked with healthcare professionals worldwide to deliver high-quality breath analysis solutions through technical innovation and professional business practices. Today, its products continue to support improved patient care across global healthcare markets, reinforcing Bedfont’s reputation as a trusted leader in non-invasive breath analysis.

Investec Recognises Bedfont Investment

Looking ahead.

The recognition also aligns with Bedfont’s commitment to responsible business practices, combining innovation with a long-term focus on improving patient outcomes, supporting its people and operating sustainably as the company continues to grow. As Bedfont® looks to the future, the company remains committed to advancing innovative, sustainable healthcare solutions and building on its successful portfolio of breath analysis devices. With Keensight’s support, Bedfont® is well positioned to continue its growth journey and expand its impact on patient care worldwide.

To learn more about Bedfont®, visit the website here. You can also read the full Investec Direct Lending Sustainability Report here.

Bedfont® brings respiratory monitoring solutions to ERS with a focus on clinical research

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Showcasing the NObreath® and Smokerlyzer® range while connecting with research teams and global distribution partners at Europe’s leading respiratory congress.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, a world leader in breath analysis, is excited to be attending this year’s European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Barcelona. With over 50 years of experience in the design and manufacture of medical breath analysis devices, Bedfont® looks to connect with professionals in healthcare and clinical research to share its innovative Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) and carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring technology.

The ERS Congress is the world’s largest international meeting dedicated to respiratory medicine, bringing together approximately 20,000 clinicians, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry leaders from across the world. This year’s congress takes place in Barcelona from the 5th to the 9th of September, providing a platform for sharing the latest scientific advances, promoting collaboration and driving innovation in respiratory care.

This year’s theme is “United for better breathing: partnership between patients, clinicians and researchers.” With Bedfont® looking to strengthen its commitment to respiratory clinical research, ERS provides the perfect platform to connect with industry professionals and showcase its innovations.

Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®, comments, “ERS Congress is one of the most important events in the respiratory calendar, bringing together the very people driving innovation in respiratory medicine. We’re excited to return to Barcelona to showcase our NObreath® FeNO device and Smokerlyzer® range, while strengthening relationships with our distributor network and connecting with research teams and healthcare professionals. As Bedfont® continues to expand its presence in medical research, we’re looking forward to discussing how our trusted respiratory monitoring solutions can further support studies and ultimately improve patient care around the world.”

The Bedfont® team will be at Stand R.19 from the 6th to the 9th of September, where visitors can explore the NObreath® and Smokerlyzer® devices and meet the experts behind them. Joining the team is renowned respiratory nurse and clinical leader, Carol Stonham MBE, who will be on the stand to share her expertise and provide valuable clinical insight into the role of FeNO testing in respiratory care. Carol will be available alongside Bedfont’s Clinical Research Partnerships Manager, Hannah Vince-Drew, to answer questions and discuss the application of FeNO testing in both clinical practice and clinical research.

To learn more, visit the website here.

NObreath® and Smokerlyzer® at ERS

Looking for the Gastrolyzer® Forum?

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The Gastrolyzer® forum has now been replaced by our Gastrolyzer® Educational Portal. The forum previously provided a space for healthcare professionals using the Gastrolyzer® devices to communicate and share knowledge.

The updated Gastrolyzer® Educational Portal has been designed to offer everything the forum did but also give quick and easy access to a wide range of resources, including:

  • How-to videos,
  • Webinars,
  • Case studies,
  • Clinical articles,
  • FAQs,
  • Practical guidance.

This valuable resource helps you get the most from our Gastrolyzer® hydrogen and methane breath testing (HMBT) devices.

If you’ve arrived here looking for the Gastrolyzer® Forum, simply visit the Educational Portal to access the latest educational resources and support materials.

If what you are looking for cannot be found in the Educational Portal, please get in touch with the Bedfont® team, who will be happy to help. You can find out more about Bedfont® here.

Gastrolyzer Forum

A fresh start: Why late summer is a good time to quit smoking

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Traditionally, people associate quitting smoking with national events like Stoptober and New Year’s resolutions, but quitting smoking doesn’t have to wait until then. As the summer holiday season draws to an end and people settle back into everyday routines, late summer can be the perfect time to make positive health changes, such as quitting smoking.

Summer habits are changing anyway

As people return from holidays, festivals, and social events, daily routines change and become more structured; it could be the perfect time to incorporate a quit-smoking attempt into a new routine.

Smoking is often linked to everyday routines, like having a cigarette with a morning coffee, during a work break, or after a meal. When these routines shift, it can be easier to break smoking triggers and habits whilst settling into the new normal and replace them with healthier alternatives.

Late summer offers a fresh opportunity to make a positive change when you’re already adjusting to a new routine, rather than waiting for New Year’s resolutions.

Better weather can support your quit journey

With milder weather and longer days during summer, people tend to be more motivated to stay active. When giving up smoking, cravings can take over, and things like walking, cycling or outdoor hobbies can distract from this.

We are aware that quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, and it can cause stress, but there are ways to manage stress levels. Exercise can improve mood and help manage stress levels during the quitting process, and spending more time outdoors can provide healthy alternatives to smoking breaks.

Feel the benefits before winter

Winter places extra strain on the lungs, with cold weather and seasonal viruses contributing to increased respiratory illnesses and hospital admissions. Smokers are particularly vulnerable, as smoking damages the lungs and is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)1, a condition that commonly worsens during the winter months. Quitting before colder weather arrives gives lungs time to begin recovering and reduces the risk of serious respiratory complications.

A fresh start: Why late summer is a good time to quit smoking

By quitting in late summer, you will have several months of smoke-free progress before winter arrives. Improved circulation and lung function can begin within weeks of quitting smoking2, with people also reporting improved breathing and energy levels, leading to increased overall well-being.

The average smoker in the UK now spends around £250 a month on cigarettes3; that figure could exceed £500 a month for those who smoke 20 cigarettes a day. Quitting in late summer can also boost finances, enabling people to put more money away for the festivities that winter brings.

A fresh start: Why late summer is a good time to quit smoking

Support is more accessible than ever

There are various tools and services available to support those who need them during a quit attempt, such as:

  • Smoking cessation services,
  • Nicotine replacement therapies,
  • Support groups,
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring.

People do not have to face a quit attempt alone, and reaching out for support could boost motivation. CO monitoring is a great motivational tool that provides instant feedback on a person’s smoking status.

Smokerlyzer® CO Monitoring range

CO monitoring with the Smokerlyzer® range of devices measures CO levels in exhaled breath. You can track your CO levels with the professional range in clinic or remotely in the comfort of your own home with the iCOquit® home device. CO is a gas inhaled when smoking, and the level of CO in exhaled breath can help distinguish a person’s smoking status. Used as a motivational aid, the Smokerlyzer® range provides instant feedback and helps to motivate a quit attempt. Seeing CO levels drop keeps users engaged and more determined to maintain their non-smoking status.

Start today, not January

Quitting smoking is not easy, and there is no perfect date to quit. However, using the seasonal shift as routines begin to change, could be the motivation needed to start a journey to quit smoking. Quitting smoking in late summer can lead to a healthier, fitter and smoke-free autumn and winter.

Smokerlyzer - A fresh start: Why late summer is a good time to quit smoking

To learn more about smoking cessation using CO monitoring tools like the Smokerlyzer®, visit the website here.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Smoking Is the Leading Cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [Internet]. www.who.int. 2023 [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2023-smoking-is-the-leading-cause-of-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease
  2. NHS. Quit smoking – better health [Internet]. NHS.UK. NHS; 2020 [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
  3. Family [Internet]. Smokefree Sheffield. [cited 2026 July 9]. Available from: https://smokefreesheffield.org/why-quit/family/

Asthma care is evolving. How FeNO testing is changing the way we treat asthma

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Over 1,200 NObreath® FeNO devices sold since the 2024 UK guideline update.

Bedfont® Scientific Limited, an innovative leader in breath analysis and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing for asthma care with the NObreath®, welcomes the news that over 1 million people with asthma are now using combination inhalers1 following the joint 2024 asthma guidelines from the National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)2. This milestone marks a significant shift in asthma management in the UK, with NObreath® sales exceeding 1,240 units since the update.

Personalised Asthma Care

The well-known blue reliever inhaler helps control symptoms but doesn’t address the underlying airway inflammation, the key driver of asthma. Airway inflammation cannot be seen or felt, so whilst patients may not be experiencing any symptoms, the inflammation could be building below the surface, leading to an exacerbation or asthma attack. The NObreath® FeNO device can quickly measure airway inflammation, giving clinicians valuable objective insight enabling them to tailor treatment effectively.

Switching patients to combination inhalers ensures not only symptom relief but also inflammation control. The updated guideline reflects a growing emphasis on prevention-focused asthma care, including earlier anti-inflammatory treatment and reduced reliance on symptom relief alone.

“Seeing more than 1 million people now using combination inhalers marks a significant milestone in the evolution of asthma care. It reflects a growing emphasis on prevention-focused asthma care, including earlier anti-inflammatory treatment and reduced reliance on symptom relief alone. At Bedfont®, we’re proud that FeNO testing is helping support this shift towards more proactive, personalised care. Through the NObreath®, we are helping clinicians gain objective insight into airway inflammation, supporting better-informed decisions and improved long-term outcomes. Everyone deserves access to better asthma care, empowering them to live healthier lives with greater confidence and control.” Said Jason Smith, CEO at Bedfont®.

Bedfont® works closely with its UK distributor, Intermedical UK, to expand access to FeNO testing nationwide. Intermedical launched its NObreath® 3000 campaign last year, signifying a major milestone of 3,000 NObreath® sales in the UK. It also reported growing sales following the guideline update, with over 1,240 devices sold since November 2024 alone, demonstrating the impact of national guidance on asthma care.

A FeNO test with the NObreath® can assess inflammation by measuring nitric oxide (NO) levels in exhaled breath, a biomarker of airway inflammation. The test is quick, easy, and non-invasive, supporting clinicians’ decision-making and treatment plans aligned with evolving guidelines. This milestone reflects a broader shift in asthma care towards precision medicine, biomarker-driven approaches, and more personalised management, all aimed at improving patient outcomes worldwide.

The NObreath® FeNO device has been improving asthma care for over 15 years. To learn more, please visit the website here.

References

  1. “I no longer feel asthmatic”: more than a million people now using new style inhalers [Internet]. NICE website: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NICE; 2026 [cited 2026 May 6]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/-i-no-longer-feel-asthmatic-more-than-a-million-people-now-using-new-style-inhalers?
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overview | Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. NICE; 2024. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG245

The evolution of FeNO testing: from laboratory systems to point-of-care diagnostics

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Asthma is a chronic disease that affects millions worldwide, with many dying from the condition every year1. Asthma care has evolved over the years, but despite the advances, objectively assessing airway inflammation, the key driver of asthma, remains challenging in routine clinical practice.

Historically, asthma management has relied heavily on symptom reporting, but symptoms alone are unreliable indicators of airway inflammation. Inflammation in the airways cannot be seen, and whilst patients may appear clinically stable, airway inflammation may be present, necessitating the use of objective, measurable biomarkers.

FeNO – A non-invasive biomarker technology

Airway inflammation is associated with elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled breath, providing a measurable biomarker of eosinophilic inflammation known as Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO). Using a FeNO device, clinicians can rapidly assess airway inflammation through a non-invasive test that delivers real-time results to support asthma diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment optimisation.

Evolution of FeNO Testing

The evolution of FeNO technology

In the 1990s, researchers found that FeNO served as a non-invasive biomarker of airway inflammation and used chemiluminescence technology to measure it, detecting NO through light emitted during a chemical reaction. This method provided high sensitivity and accuracy but proved very costly due to the need for regular maintenance and calibration, limited accessibility, and the specialist training required to operate it. It was clear that early FeNO technology demonstrated clinical value but lacked scalability.

In recent years, this has advanced to electrochemical sensor technology, enabling a new generation of portable FeNO devices, including the NObreath®, whilst still matching the gold-standard chemiluminescence technology.

Modern FeNO devices using electrochemical sensors have decentralised diagnostics, providing a portable respiratory diagnostic option which is easy to integrate into point-of-care workflows. The devices are easy to use and no longer require specialist training, making them a more cost-effective option in respiratory diagnostics.

How point-of-care FeNO testing changes clinical practice

Thanks to continuous innovation, FeNO devices are now accessible at the point of care, enabling faster clinical decision-making, improved monitoring capabilities, and more personalised asthma management. This evolution reflects a broader shift toward decentralised, non-invasive diagnostic technologies designed to support earlier detection and more proactive respiratory care.

FeNO testing – Ease of use

Recent developments in FeNO devices have focused on usability, workflow efficiency, and accessibility. For example, the NObreath®, now in its 2nd generation, is a portable FeNO device which pioneered the exhalation-only manoeuvre. Helping to improve asthma care for over 15 years, the device is suitable for both adults and children, the test is easy to complete and provides a flow incentive to ensure a flow rate of 50 ml/s, yielding an accurate result. Providing instant results, FeNO testing supports efficient point-of-care workflows and faster clinical decision-making.

The future of respiratory diagnostics

The inclusion of FeNO testing in clinical guidelines has increased throughout the years, with the 2024 UK guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) recommending FeNO as a first-line test to aid asthma diagnosis and management2.

This marks a major shift in asthma care, with a growing emphasis on biomarker-led approaches and more personalised treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes. As respiratory diagnostics become increasingly accessible beyond hospitals and specialist centres, more patients can benefit from advanced technologies through primary care, community clinics, and outpatient respiratory services. Reflecting this trend, Intermedical UK, the exclusive UK distributor of the NObreath® FeNO device, has now installed more than 3,000 devices across the UK, including over 1,200 since the 2024 guideline update, highlighting the rapid adoption of FeNO testing in routine clinical practice.

FeNO testing offers a non-invasive option to aid diagnosis and monitoring of asthma, making biomarker testing more accessible and decentralising respiratory monitoring. Continued innovation in this technology may even expand to home monitoring in the future.

NObreath® Evolution of FeNO Testing

References

  1. World Health Organization. Asthma [Internet]. World Health Organization. 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overview | Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) | Guidance | NICE [Internet]. Nice.org.uk. NICE; 2024. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG245

Love Your Lungs Week 2026

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Written by Carol Stonham MBE

Carol Stonham MBE - Love Your Lungs Week

This article reflects the opinions of a healthcare professional. The views expressed are their own. The intended use for the NObreath® is as follows:

The 2nd generation NObreath® is a breath nitric oxide (NO) test system intended to measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in parts per billion (ppb) in exhaled breath.

FeNO measurement is taken to evaluate airway inflammation and should be used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory evaluations where appropriate when making a diagnosis or treatment plan. The measurements are intended for interpretation by healthcare professionals and for us in a healthcare environment, where paediatric and adult patients will complete measurements under supervision.

Love Your Lungs Week and Asthma

For many people lungs don’t really feature in their daily self-awareness despite the vital work they do. They are there in the background doing their job. For many people Love your Lungs week might just make them think about what a good job their lungs are doing and maybe look for ways of encouraging them to stay healthy – avoiding pollution, not smoking or vaping and getting regular exercise in for example.

For those people with asthma Love Your Lungs week might have a different emphasis. Asthma symptoms, whether minor or more dramatic, will certainly make a person aware of their breathing. Good asthma care can help to keep the symptoms under control and avoid bouts of acute symptoms.

Good asthma care starts with an accurate diagnosis. Historically an asthma diagnosis was made on assessment of symptoms, perhaps some lung function testing, and response to treatment. Evidence shows us we sometimes got it wrong using this approach 1. The current joint UK guidelines from British Thoracic Society (BTS), Scottish Intercollegiate Network (SIGN) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)2 have moved to basing a diagnosis of asthma on assessment of symptoms and history that is supported by objective testing. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is the first recommended test based on clinical accuracy and cost effectiveness. A raised FeNO is an indicator of eosinophilic airway inflammation which is commonly seen in most types of asthma when it is not adequately treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

Love Your Lungs Week

Once an accurate diagnosis has been made the person being diagnosed needs to understand what asthma is, what is happening in their lungs, and how their treatment works. There are no agreed education sessions for people newly diagnosed with asthma as there are for those with diabetes.

As asthma is a variable condition, understanding these features support the person to adjust medication to control symptoms and self-manage their condition. Healthcare input is minimal in someone with asthma – an annual review is usually the only planned touch point; others tend to be when the symptoms are poorly controlled. Most healthcare professionals will use a diagram or airway model to explain asthma but the addition of FeNO is a useful tool to demonstrate inflammation especially in the symptomatic person. It helps both practitioner and patient to understand what is happening in the lungs – a measured objective marker demonstrating inflammation.

Why Objective Assessment Remains Important

Many people with a long-term health condition will become so used to the symptoms they experience and the regular use of treatment4. This is seen in some people with asthma – they accept that they have asthma therefore they accept a wheeze or cough4, they stop taking regular ICS treatment and instead rely on a rescue inhaler to treat symptoms as they arise4, or they might continue treatment but fall into bad habits and use their inhaler incorrectly5. In all of these cases measuring FeNO is helpful to assess the underlying airway inflammation, to demonstrate suboptimal control of airway inflammation, and to base ongoing treatment decisions which may require a change of medication, a change of inhaler device or commonly, simply a reminder that asthma treatment needs to be taken regularly with good technique.

The NObreath® FeNO Device

Love Your Lungs Week

FeNO testing with the NObreath® is a quick and easy non-invasive way to objectively measure airway inflammation. With adult and child test modes, the NObreath® is suitable for all settings thanks to its accuracy and portability. Featuring an exhalation-only manoeuvre, the test is easy to do and can help to improve asthma care, allowing healthcare professionals to tailor asthma treatment effectively.

Love Your Lungs for those with asthma should focus on getting the treatment right and taking it effectively and regularly so that the lungs can get on doing their job without reminding the person they have asthma at all. Of course, that will also include the general measures that everyone else will be considering – avoiding pollution, avoiding smoking and vaping, and getting regular exercise in, but good asthma care will support activity without a symptom burden. 

References:

  1. Aaron SD, Vandemheen KL, FitzGerald JM, Ainslie M, Gupta S, Lemière C, Field SK, McIvor RA, Hernandez P, Mayers I, Mulpuru S. Reevaluation of diagnosis in adults with physician-diagnosed asthma. JAMA. 2017;317(3):269-79.
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (BTS, NICE, SIGN) (NG245) [Internet]. London: NICE; 2024 [cited 2026 18 Jun]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng245
  3. Patel S, Huang M, Miliara S. Understanding treatment adherence in chronic diseases: challenges, consequences, and strategies for improvement. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025 Aug;14(17):6034. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14176034.
  4. Canonica GW, Domingo C, Lavoie KL, Kaliasethi A, Khan SQ, Majumdar A, Fulmali S. Asthma patients’ and physicians’ perspectives on the burden and management of asthma: post-hoc analysis of APPaRENT 1 and 2 to assess predictors of treatment adherence. Respiratory medicine. 2024;227:107637.
  5. Bosnic-Anticevich S, Bender BG, Shuler MT, Hess M, Kocks JW. Recognizing and tackling inhaler technique decay in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disesase (COPD) clinical practice. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2023;11(8):2355-64.

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