Need some Asthma words/phrases clarified

[KatyMac]

DD (15) just got a letter from the hospital & she wants to know what:
FEV1, FVC, nitric oxide & bronchoconstriction mean/are measured/imply

Can anyone help?

FEV1 is the amount of air you can forcibly blow out in one second. Like when you blow out a candle. (forced expiratory volume in one second)

FVC is the volume of your biggest possible breath. (forced vital capacity)

Nitric oxide is a gas. Measurements can be used to calculate lung volumes.

Bronchoconstruction is narrowing of the airways, as is seen in asthma.

Thanks

So FEV1=76% is not very good (he talks about a marked obstruction)

Her FVC is 95% so I guess that's better

He said the Nitric oxide is normal 7 parts per billion & that she had quite a lot of bronchoconstriction

It's very confusing to actually 'understand' I guess

The FEV1 will be a % of what would be predicted for someone of her gender, age and height. Anything over 80% is generally considered ok I think. Less than that implies some degree of airway obstruction/narrowing. In asthma the obstruction/narrowing is caused by reversible constriction of the airways in response to eg dust/cold/exercise etc. I would guess an FEV1 of 76% of predicted suggests a diagnosis of asthma/room for improvement with treatment.

FVC of 95% of predicted is 'normal'

I'm not a respiratory doctor or asthma nurse though. Maybe one will be along to explain better or correct me.

Thanks - they want to reduce her medication - which I guess is good