Author/Authors :
Kuo, Yi-Chieh Show Chwan Memorial Hospital - Changhua City, Taiwan , Fu-Sheng Wu, Francis Show Chwan Memorial Hospital - Changhua City, Taiwan , Lee, Ying-Chung Chung Chou University of Science and Technology - Changhua, Taiwan , Rong-Yei Lin, Theodore Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland , Crane, Julian School of Medicine and Health Sciences - University of Otago - Wellington, New Zealand , Siebers, Robert School of Medicine and Health Sciences - University of Otago - Wellington, New Zealand
Abstract :
Betel (areca) nuts are extensively chewed in many countries. This has been associated with respiratory symptoms. We aimed to determine whether betel nut chewing is associated with acute changes in fractional exhaled nitric oxide, a non-invasive marker of airway inflammation. Betel nut chewing resulted in an immediate significant decline in fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels that persisted for up to 180 minutes. This effect has to be taken into account in epidemiological studies, reference ranges, and patient preparation.
Keywords :
Asthma , Respiratory system , Nitric oxide , Areca
