Asthma is one of the most common diseases in America, affecting over 24 million people (1). While many people dismiss asthma as a minor issue that can be easily controlled with medication, it’s an extremely serious condition. In fact, around 3,500 people die from asthma-related causes each year (2).
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. It’s caused by inflammation, constriction and excessive mucus production in the airways, which leads to symptoms like coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. People with asthma have a higher risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 (1).
Asthma is one of the most common diseases in America, affecting over 24 million people (2). While many people dismiss asthma as a minor issue that can be easily controlled with medication, it’s an extremely serious condition. In fact, around 3,500 people die from asthma-related causes each year (3).
People with asthma have swollen and inflamed airways in their lungs. This makes it hard to get air in and out of the lungs properly, resulting in symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms can make it difficult to breathe normally and carry out everyday activities normally.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that can make breathing difficult. People with asthma have swollen and inflamed airways in their lungs. This makes it hard to get air in and out of the lungs properly, resulting in symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms can make it difficult to breathe normally and carry out everyday activities normally.
What causes asthma? We don’t know exactly what causes asthma, but we do know that genetics play a role in increasing the likelihood someone will get asthma. In addition to genetics, many other things in your surroundings may also contribute to causing your asthma symptoms including:
- Air Pollution
- Smoke from cigarettes or cigars
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
The main treatment for asthma is inhalers that help you control your symptoms and avoid attacks by managing inflammation. However, inhalers don’t work for everyone. Some patients need stronger medications that can have serious side effects. Other patients may even need surgery to remove parts of their lungs or have other organs transplanted into their bodies to make breathing easier (3).
You may already be familiar with the most common treatment for asthma: inhalers. Inhalers help you control your symptoms and avoid attacks by managing inflammation. However, inhalers don’t work for everyone! Some patients need stronger medications that can have serious side effects. Other patients may even need surgery to remove parts of their lungs or have other organs transplanted into their bodies to make breathing easier (3).
That’s where clinical trials come in!
Though researchers have been studying asthma for decades, all these treatments suggest we still don’t know enough about the disease to treat it effectively. But new clinical trials offer hope for a better future for patients with asthma. These trials are testing innovative treatments that could provide long-term relief from asthma symptoms without causing unpleasant side effects or requiring invasive surgical procedures.
Asthma is very common: about 1 in 13 people have the disease. The symptoms can be mild, severe, or anywhere in between, and vary from patient to patient.
If you suffer from asthma, you know that its effects are far-reaching. You also know that treatment options can vary, depending on the severity of your symptoms. While some patients find relief through prescription medications, others experience side effects such as fatigue and sweating; still others aren’t able to afford or access the prescription drugs they need. And while those with severe symptoms may require surgery to remove excess tissue on their lungs or clear out their airways by inflating a tiny balloon down their throat, these methods are invasive and pose risks of infection or bleeding.
That’s why we’re excited about clinical trials! They’re safe and offer hope for a better future for patients with asthma–and they could provide long-term relief from asthma symptoms without causing unpleasant side effects or requiring invasive surgical procedures.