The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved bronchial thermoplasty (BT) for the treatment of severe asthma unresponsive to typical asthma medicines. BT is a unique, non-drug treatment that involves the use of thermal energy delivered to the airways of the lungs, which results in a decrease in the amount of airway smooth muscle. This therapy has been shown to improve asthma symptoms, reduce asthma exacerbations, reduce emergency room visits, and improve overall asthma control.

While there are various studies that show that BT is usual for the treatment of asthma, the jury is still out on where this therapy fits in the typical treatment of asthma, or how long the benefit may last. For now, typical asthma medicines are a much better way to treat asthma — but BT is worth a look for people with severe asthma for which typical medications don’t seem to help, and offers a unique approach for the treatment of asthma.

Learn more:

• Watch Bronchial Thermoplasty Animation
• Treatments for Severe Asthma
• Is Your Asthma Controlled?