Patient Profiles
Something to smile about
The future life course of 24-year-old Russell Agland hangs on the result of the Aridol asthma test he is about to take.
Russell is trying to enter the police force, and this is his third attempt to prove he has his asthma under control.
“Becoming a policeman is all I’ve ever wanted to do, but having asthma has held me back,” says Russell, talking about the police force’s strict physical entry criteria.
Aridol is approved in Australia to diagnose the presence of asthma in users, by detecting airway inflammation.
Patients inhale increasing doses of Aridol via a hand-held inhaler, and their lung capacity is measured after each dose. People with asthma will temporarily experience a reduction in the amount of air they can exhale.
Both patients and healthcare professionals report that they find Aridol easy to use.
“It’s faster and more pleasant than saline tests,” says Russell.
Alison Boynton, the senior scientist administering the Aridol challenge test at Liverpool Hospital’s respiratory department, agrees.
“With other tests, patients can close the back of their throats and don’t get the right dosage,” she says.
“Coming in a kit form, Aridol is easier to use and there’s no cleanup time, whereas other kits need to be scrubbed and sterilised.”
So, the results for Russell? He passed, with flying colours, and he’s now on track to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming an investigating policeman.