Without a doubt, it’s likely you know someone who has asthma. You probably have seen them use an inhaler when they have difficulty breathing.
In this blog, we’ll discuss asthma and exciting new infusion treatments that make breathing easier for thousands.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways, making breathing difficult. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Although it affects people of all ages, it often starts in childhood. Although asthma is a long-term condition that cannot be cured, its symptoms can be controlled with proper treatment.
Asthma symptoms (or asthma attacks) can vary in severity and frequency, ranging from minor nuisances to life-threatening attacks. During an asthma attack, the airways become inflamed, producing excess mucus, and the surrounding muscles tighten, making it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs. The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but it’s believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
An asthma attack can be triggered by inhaling allergens (like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander), irritants (such as smoke and air pollution), respiratory infections, exercise, and even strong emotions.
An inhaler is a bronchodilator dilator that treats several aspects of asthma:
- Relieves acute symptoms: Short-acting inhalers (also called rescue inhalers) quickly open the airways to relieve sudden asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
- Prevents inflammation: Corticosteroid inhalers (preventers) reduce and prevent inflammation in the airways, which helps control asthma in the long term.
- Provides long-term control: Long-acting bronchodilator inhalers help keep airways open for extended periods, often combined with corticosteroids for better asthma management.
- Delivers medication directly: Inhalers deliver medication directly to the lungs, allowing for faster action and lower doses than oral medications.
- Prevents exercise-induced symptoms: A short-acting bronchodilator before exercise can help prevent asthma symptoms triggered by physical activity.
But sometimes, inhalers aren’t enough to combat asthma. That’s where infused biologics come in.
Infused medications for treating asthma
Infused medications, also known as biologics, are used to treat severe asthma that is not well-controlled with standard inhaled medications. Here’s how infused medications work to treat asthma:
- Target specific inflammatory pathways: Biologics target and block specific proteins or cells involved in the inflammatory process that causes asthma symptoms.
- Reduce airway inflammation: Biologics help reduce inflammation in the airways, a key factor in asthma, by targeting these specific pathways.
- Decrease asthma attacks: Regular use of biologics can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of asthma exacerbations.
- Improve lung function: These medications can improve lung function by reducing inflammation and opening airways.
- Successful treatment with biologics may allow patients to reduce their reliance on oral corticosteroids and other asthma medications.
- Personalized treatment: Different biologics target different inflammatory pathways, allowing for more personalized treatment based on an individual’s specific type of asthma.
Some common biologic medications used for severe asthma include:
Omalizumab (Xolair): Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and blocks immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key protein involved in allergic reactions. By inhibiting IgE from binding to its receptors on mast cells it prevents the release of inflammatory mediators that cause bronchospasm. Omalizumab helps reduce the overall inflammatory response in the airways, which is a major component of asthma symptoms.
Mepolizumab (Nucala) Mepolizumab (Nucala) treats severe eosinophilic asthma. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause inflammation in the airways when present in high numbers. Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets and blocks interleukin-5 (IL-5), a key cytokine responsible for eosinophils’ growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival. By inhibiting IL-5, mepolizumab reduces the number of eosinophils in the blood and tissues. Lowering eosinophil levels helps reduce inflammation in the airways, which is a major component of asthma symptoms. Mepolizumab is used as an add-on maintenance treatment, meaning it’s taken in addition to other asthma medications, typically corticosteroids
Reslizumab (Cinqair) and Benralizumab (Fasenra), also treats asthma much like Mepolizumab; targeting and blocking interleukin-5 (IL-5).
It’s important to note that while biologics can be very effective for some patients with severe asthma, they may not be suitable for everyone. The decision to use these medications should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, considering the individual’s specific asthma type, severity, and overall health status.
TwelveStone Infusion Centers: Your Asthma Treatment Partner
Biologics make breathing easier, and TwelveStone Infusion Centers makes receiving infused treatment easier, too.
Those with asthma can receive treatment at one of our infusion Centers. Infusions are given in a comfortable, private suite equipped with WIFI. Patients can also enjoy snacks and drinks during their infusion treatment.
If patients prefer infusion treatments at home, a certified infusion tech will come to them and ensure proper administration from start to finish.
Living with asthma is difficult. TwelveStone Infusion Centers can make breathing easier.
