|  | Conditions Treatments | Asthma

Technological Advancement in Treatment of Asthma

It is estimated that some 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma, and according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the lung disease accounts for 2 million emergency room visits and more than 4,000 deaths each year. Given the severity and scope of the issue, it's no wonder researchers continue to seek more effective ways to treat and prevent asthma symptoms.

  1. Traditional Treatments

    • Because there is currently no cure for asthma, modern asthma medications are designed to prevent the onset of symptoms or in worst-case scenarios manage an attack that has already started. For long-term management of asthma, physicians prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. These steroidal drugs reduce the sensitivity of airways to asthma triggers by reducing the swelling and mucus associated with asthma attacks. Bronchodilators are commonly prescribed to bring sudden attacks under control, and are typically only recommended for use as "rescue" drugs.

    Changing Approaches

    • In recent years, asthma sufferers have benefited from a changing approach to the use of asthma medications in the form of combination inhalers. Newer drugs such as Symbicort and Advair combine long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, mucus and sensitivity to asthma triggers. For people with asthma caused by allergies, immunotherapy is used to reduce sensitivity to allergens. A newer injectable medication, Xolair, has also been used in recent years to treat allergic asthma through reduced trigger sensitivity.

    Non-Drug Treatments

    • Asthma treatment technology may have taken a huge leap forward with the development of bronchial thermoplasty. The treatment involves applying radio-frequency energy directly to the lungs; the heat smooths and thins muscle walls in the airways. According to a 2010 report, patients who underwent the procedure in clinical trials reported greatly reduced symptoms and better overall lung function with few side effects. While bronchial thermoplasty is not touted as a cure for asthma, the procedure shows tremendous promise as a long-term treatment approach and is undergoing further study.

    Current Research

    • As new medications and treatment approaches are developed, asthma sufferers continue to benefit from more effective means of reducing and preventing symptoms through better, more appropriate drug therapies. The future of asthma treatment may lie in the field of pharmacogenetics, which seeks to identify how genes affect an individual's response to asthma treatments such as inhaled beta agonists and steroids. By studying genes, scientists hope to be able to pinpoint the most effective drug treatment based on individual genetic makeup.

    Conclusions

    • Whatever the cause or level of severity of symptoms, an individual with asthma should work with his physician to come up with a treatment plan that best suits his lifestyle and needs. A doctor can prescribe the latest and most effective drug therapies, as well as recommend lifestyle changes that are conducive to better health. Asthma sufferers should always consult with a specialist before beginning, altering or ceasing either prescription or over-the-counter allergy and asthma medications.

Asthma - Related Articles