In an interview on The Valder Beebe Show, Dr. Siri discusses the clinical and patient experience aspects of severe asthma. Over two millions Americans of various ages live with severe asthma out of 20-30 million people with asthma. From 0:30 to 3:55, Dr. Siri gives an educational overview of symptoms, causes, and treatments of asthma and severe asthma. She later introduces a new FDA-approved treatment option, which is the first ultra-long acting biological treatment for severe asthma (3:55-6:00).
- Asthma Symptoms: Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty doing regular physical activities.
- Mild-Moderate Asthma and Severe Asthma: Patients across asthma spectrum share the same symptoms, but those with severe asthma have their asthma uncontrolled or undercontrolled. They may have ER visit, hospitalization, struggles with breathing (asthma attacks / exacerbations) requiring rescue inhalers at least once a month, and have more difficulties with daily activities such as sleeping, eating, or going up a flight of stairs.
- Underlying Causes and Type 2 Inflammation: Triggers of asthma can be genetics, environments, or allergies, but severe asthmatic patients have a chronic condition in which Type 2 inflammation in the lungs emerged. When Type 2 inflammation goes unchecked, patients continue to use medications for mild to moderate asthma such as inhalers and pills, without addressing the underlying inflammation, and continue to suffer severe asthma while doses of their medication increase.
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Severe Asthma Treatments: Severe asthma is a subset of asthma that requires high-dose medications (like biologics or oral corticosteroids) to remain controlled, but their asthma may remain uncontrolled despite these treatments. Biologics are a class of medication usually in the form of injection. A biological injection can target Type 2 Inflammation and direclty improve severe asthma from the root cause.
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Newly FDA-approved biological treatment (sponsored content 3:55-6:00): The FDA recently approved an ultra-long acting biological treatment for severe asthma. The medication, Exdensur, is the first of its kind to be FDA-approved and requires injection twice a year. Some patients may find long-acting biological medicine more convenient such as those with difficult access to treatment centers.
- Evaluating appropriate treatments: Dr. Siri encourages patients with severe asthma to speak to their doctor and be honest about their symptoms to see if biological treatments are appropriate for them. Some patients may start off with manageable asthma, but over time their asthma may become less controllable, with symptoms occuring more frequently or severely and requiring more medications. When asthma becomes more difficult, it is important to discuss with their doctors early to reduce the need for rescue inhalers and use of corticosteroids.
If you or a loved one are struggling to keep asthma under control, Dr. Siri’s team is here to help with evidence-based, cutting edge diagnosis and treatment in Central Illinois. Contact us to schedule an appointment today. Bloomington-Normal: 309.452.0995 (also serves Peoria through satellite office) and Springfield: 217.717.4404 (also serves Carlinville and Jacksonville through satellite offices).
