Asthma: When Should You Consider Specialty Infusion Therapy?

Asthma: When Should You Consider Specialty Infusion Therapy?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the lungs’ airways, causing them to become inflamed, narrow, and swollen. This makes breathing difficult, especially during flare-ups. Although asthma can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening, it is generally classified into two main categories: controlled asthma and uncontrolled asthma.

For many people, asthma is manageable with lifestyle changes and medications like inhalers or corticosteroids. However, for others, asthma symptoms can worsen over time, making management more complicated.

Asthma Symptoms

Recognizing the symptoms of asthma is essential for proper diagnosis and management. Common asthma symptoms include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Persistent coughing
• Difficulty breathing, especially at night or after exercise

While these symptoms may seem mild at times, they can escalate during an asthma attack. An asthma attack is when symptoms become severe, causing the airways to tighten, which can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.

Asthma Attack Symptoms

Asthma attacks can happen suddenly and with varying levels of intensity. Asthma attack symptoms may include:

• Severe wheezing and gasping for air
• Difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Chest pain or pressure
• Anxiety or panic
• Blue lips or fingernails (a sign of oxygen deprivation)

Frequent or severe asthma attacks are indicators that your asthma may not be well-controlled, and this is when a specialized treatment approach may become necessary.

Traditional Asthma Treatment Options

Standard asthma treatment typically focuses on reducing inflammation in the airways and preventing asthma attacks. Treatment often involves:

• Quick-relief medications: Inhalers (like albuterol) that provide immediate relief during an asthma attack.
• Long-term control medications: Daily medications, such as corticosteroids, that help reduce inflammation and prevent attacks.
• Lifestyle changes: Avoiding known asthma triggers such as allergens, pollution, or smoke.

For many people with asthma, these methods are sufficient to maintain a normal quality of life. However, as asthma becomes more severe, traditional treatments may fail to provide adequate relief. This is particularly true for patients with severe asthma, where the condition becomes resistant to standard medications.

What Is Severe Asthma?

Severe asthma differs from regular asthma in that the condition is harder to manage with traditional medications. People with severe asthma may experience more frequent and intense symptoms despite adhering to their prescribed asthma action plan. Severe asthma is often associated with:

• Frequent hospital visits or emergency room trips due to asthma attacks.
• The need for high doses of oral corticosteroids to control symptoms.
• Limited ability to participate in daily activities because of breathing difficulties.

If you or a loved one are struggling with these challenges, it may be time to explore advanced treatments like specialty infusion therapy.

What is Specialty Infusion Therapy for Asthma?

Specialty infusion therapy is an advanced form of asthma treatment designed for people who experience severe or uncontrolled asthma. Infusion therapy involves administering biologic medications directly into the bloodstream, providing targeted and long-lasting relief from asthma symptoms.

Biologic medications in asthma treatment target the immune system’s response, leading to airway inflammation. These medications can prevent asthma symptoms, reduce the severity of symptoms, and even slow the progression of the disease.

At Omega Health Clinics, several biologic medications are used in specialty infusion therapy for asthma, including:

• Fasenra
• Nucala
• Tezspire
• Xolair

Let’s take a closer look at how each of these medications works and how they can benefit patients with severe asthma.

Fasenra

Fasenra is a biological medication that specifically targets and reduces eosinophils, white blood cells that can cause inflammation in the airways. Elevated levels of eosinophils are often seen in people with severe asthma, and reducing these cells can provide significant relief from asthma symptoms.

By lowering eosinophil levels, Fasenra helps reduce inflammation in the airways, making breathing easier and preventing asthma attacks. Fasenra is administered via an infusion, typically every four to eight weeks, depending on the patient’s needs. Fasenra is an excellent option for those whose asthma is primarily driven by eosinophilic inflammation and for patients who have not responded well to traditional corticosteroid treatments.

Nucala

Like Fasenra, Nucala is designed to reduce eosinophil levels in the body. Nucala targets and binds to a protein called IL-5, which is responsible for eosinophils’ growth and activation. By reducing eosinophil activity, Nucala can dramatically decrease the frequency of asthma attacks and improve overall breathing function.

Nucala is particularly effective for patients with eosinophilic asthma, a subtype of asthma characterized by elevated levels of eosinophils in the blood and airways. It is administered as a monthly infusion and can be essential to a long-term asthma management plan.

Tezspire

Tezspire is another biological medication that offers relief from asthma symptoms and can slow the progression of the disease. Tezspire targets a specific protein that plays a crucial role in airway inflammation. By blocking this protein, Tezspire reduces inflammation and makes breathing easier.

One benefit of Tezspire is that it can be used for a broader range of asthma patients, including those without elevated eosinophil levels. Tezspire is typically administered as an infusion once every four weeks, offering a reliable solution for managing severe asthma over time.

Xolair

Xolair is a biological medication used to treat severe asthma driven by allergies. Many people with asthma also have allergic triggers, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, that can worsen their symptoms. Xolair works by blocking the immune system’s response to these allergens, reducing inflammation and preventing asthma attacks.

Xolair is administered as an infusion every two to four weeks and is particularly effective for patients who experience frequent asthma flare-ups due to allergic reactions.

When to Consider Specialty Infusion Therapy for Asthma

Determining when to consider specialty infusion therapy for asthma depends on several factors. Generally, this advanced treatment is recommended for individuals with severe or uncontrolled asthma who experience:

• Frequent asthma attacks despite following their asthma action plan.
• Poor response to inhalers or corticosteroids.
• Hospitalizations due to asthma attacks.
• Persistent asthma symptoms that impact daily life.

If any of these scenarios apply to you, it may be time to explore specialty infusion therapy for better asthma control. These biologic treatments can be life-changing for patients who struggle with severe asthma, offering relief when traditional methods have failed.

Building an Asthma Action Plan

A comprehensive asthma action plan is essential to manage mild, moderate, or severe asthma. An asthma action plan is a personalized guide that outlines the steps to take when you experience asthma symptoms or an asthma attack. It should include:

• Your daily asthma medications and when to take them.
• Signs that your asthma may be worsening.
• Steps to take when you experience asthma attack symptoms.
• Emergency contact information and when to seek medical help.

An asthma action plan helps you stay prepared, ensures that you use the proper medications at the correct times, and minimizes the risk of severe asthma attacks. If you are considering specialty infusion therapy, your asthma action plan should include details about your infusion schedule and how it integrates with your existing medications.

Take Control of Your Asthma with Specialty Infusion Therapy

Managing asthma, especially severe asthma, can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Specialty infusion therapy offers a groundbreaking solution for those whose asthma is uncontrolled by traditional methods. Medications like Fasenra, Nucala, Tezspire, and Xolair target the underlying causes of asthma symptoms, providing long-lasting relief and improving the quality of life.

If you or a loved one are struggling with severe asthma, it’s time to explore your treatment options. At Omega Health Clinics, we specialize in advanced asthma treatments and offer comprehensive care to help you breathe easier. Ready for Change? Book Your Consultation with us now!