‘Be the Boss of Your Asthma’ Seeks to Educate and Empower Patients to Take a More Proactive Role...
Severe Asthma News & Updates
Ask the Allergist: Step-Up Care for Asthma
Dr. Bradley Chips answers the Ask the Allergist question: what do asthma patients need to know about the new Asthma Yardstick?
Video: Richard Jefferson Explains Why He Had Bronchial Thermoplasty to Treat His Severe Asthma
In a Q&A interview with Allergy & Asthma Network President and CEO Tonya Winders,...
HealthCentral Video: Lessons From a Lifetime of Severe Asthma
A specialized approach to asthma care helped a severe asthma patient, Anne, to breathe better. She...
Asthma Yardstick – Severe Asthma in Adults
This webinar covered patient-provider disconnects with asthma control; definition of severe and uncontrolled asthma; treatment options for severe asthma.
Breathing Easy On and Off the Basketball Court
How NBA Standout Richard Jefferson Saved his Career With Bronchial Thermoplasty By Gary...
How the New ‘Asthma Yardstick’ Measures Up
How do doctors know when to step up treatment for severe asthma? Leading board-certified...
Ask the Allergist: How Do Biologics Work?
Rohit Katial, MD answers the Ask the Allergist question: How do biologic drugs work for asthma?
Allergy & Asthma Network, CHEST Foundation Join Forces to Raise Awareness Around Severity of Difficult-to-Control Asthma
Campaign Aims to Aid Millions of Americans Suffering from Persistent Asthma That Impacts Daily...
Ask the Allergist: When Asthma Turns Severe…
Dr. William Silvers answers the Ask the Allergist question: I take my preventive medications every day, but my asthma still bothers me on a daily basis. What more can I do?
All About
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.