If you are unable to control asthma with all types of treatment, you may have severe asthma. It’s estimated 5-10% of people with asthma have severe asthma. These patients often experience high rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Severe asthma must be carefully monitored since symptoms could be life-threatening if ignored. If your symptoms worsen, you have a flare-up during everyday activities, or your symptoms don’t respond to a quick-relief inhaler, prompt medical treatment is necessary.

Severe asthma may call for a higher dosage of inhaled corticosteroids or long-term oral corticosteroids. If symptoms continue to not respond, then biologics are the next step. These medications target cells and pathways that cause allergic inflammation. They reduce inflammation and calm the immune system.

Your treatment plan may also include lifestyle changes, including:

• Avoiding triggers (including allergens)
• Avoiding smoking (including secondhand smoke)
• Losing weight if needed
• Doing breathing exercises
• Managing or reducing stress

The goal of asthma treatment is to manage and control symptoms so you can live life to the fullest. Regular appointments with your doctor and updating your Asthma Action Plan as needed are vital to effective asthma management.

See our full article on Severe Asthma.