Comprehensive asthma care for adults
Asthma is one of the common health issues for adult. Asthma produces chest tightness, wheezing, cough and shortness of breath with activities and various triggers. It can drastically impact quality of life. Asthma is a serious condition that can lead to frequent emergency room visits and hospital admissions; however, it is a treatable chronic disease.
We at Sussex Pulmonary & Endocrine Consultants are highly skilled at the diagnosis, management and treatment of adult asthma. We offer comprehensive services, including on site Complete Pulmonary Function Tests, Exhaled Nitric Oxide and advanced treatments such as Bronchial Thermoplasty, anti-IgE Xolair® (Omalizumab) Nucala® (Mepolizumab), Fasenra® (Benralizumab) and Dupixent® (Dupilumab) .
Bronchial Thermoplasty is a safe, non-drug, outpatient bronchoscopy procedure to treat patients with severe asthma that is not well controlled with medications. Bronchial Thermoplasty uses mild heat to reduce excessive smooth muscle in the airways, which helps reduce severe asthma attacks.
People with severe asthma have an excess of smooth muscle tissue lining their airways. During an asthma attack, this muscle constricts the airways, making breathing difficult. Bronchial Thermoplasty reduces the amount of excess muscle and helps minimize the narrowing of your airways during an asthma attack.
Video: How Bronchial Thermoplasty Works
Omalizumab (Xolair) Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, including asthma. Anti-IgE is a form of treatment for allergic conditions that has been approved for the treatment of moderate to severe persistent asthma. Anti-IgE interferes with the function of IgE. Xolair® is given by a shot (injection) one to two times a month. The shots are given in the doctor’s office. The dosage varies, depending on the person's weight and IgE blood level. Xolair® is a long-term control medicine. This means it is given routinely to prevent asthma symptoms. It is not a quick relief medicine. Some patients improve quickly. Some patients show a gradual benefit. Xolair® does not appear to work for all patients.
Mepolizumab (Nucala) and Benralizumab (Fasenra) reduce the number of eosinophils in the blood. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that are a normal part of the body's immune system. Too many eosinophils may lead to inflammation in the lungs that can cause severe asthma attacks. Reducing inflammation can lead to fewer severe asthma attacks,
A simple blood test may be done to measure the number of eosinophils in your blood. NUCALA and FASENRA is given as a single injection just under the skin (subcutaneously)