Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While some people can manage their asthma with inhalers and other medications, others have more severe cases that require additional treatment options.
What is Severe Asthma?
Severe asthma, also known as refractory asthma, is a type of asthma that is difficult to control with standard asthma medications. People with severe asthma experience asthma symptoms frequently, and often require high doses of medication to manage their symptoms.
New Treatment Options for Severe Asthma
Over the past few years, there have been several new treatment options developed for people with severe asthma. These treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce the need for high doses of medication. Here are some of the latest treatments for severe asthma:
- Biologic Medications: Biologic medications are a new type of medication that target specific cells and proteins in the body that contribute to asthma symptoms. These medications are given as injections or infusions and can help reduce inflammation in the airways. Examples of biologic medications for severe asthma include Dupixent, Nucala, and Xolair.
- Bronchial Thermoplasty: Bronchial thermoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to reduce the amount of smooth muscle in the airways. This can help improve lung function and reduce asthma symptoms. Bronchial thermoplasty is typically done in three separate treatments.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, can help reduce asthma symptoms in people with severe asthma caused by allergies. Allergy shots work by exposing the body to small amounts of allergens over time, which can help the body build up a tolerance to the allergen.
Severe asthma can be a challenging condition to manage, but with the latest treatment options, people with severe asthma can find relief from their symptoms. If you have severe asthma, talk to your doctor about these new treatment options and which one may be right for you.
