ORMC offers bronchial thermoplasty for severe asthma

"Ten years of research and seven years of safety data shows the benefits from a complete treatment cycle remain five to seven years later," said Dr. Vollenweider. "Patients may experience a 32 percent reduction in the number of asthma attacks and a 73 to 84 percent reduction of hospital and emergency department visits."

A groundbreaking treatment option like bronchial thermoplasty is especially significant given the unknowns of asthma.

"We don't know exactly why asthma occurs," said Dr. Vollenweider. "It is believed to be the result of bronchial smooth muscles constricting and/or inflammation of the airways. The unknowns make treatment a challenge. Inhalers, steroids and other medications work well for some, but not so well for others."

Asthma is considered a serious public health problem, impacting nearly 25 million Americans. The condition is one of the top five chronic diseases globally, along with heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. In patients with severe asthma, traditional treatment methods including inhalers and daily steroid medications do not always prevent frequent and life-threatening asthma attacks. In 2007, asthma resulted in approximately 12.8 million people experiencing asthmas attacks, 1.75 million emergency room visits, 456,000 hospitalizations and 3,447 asthma-related deaths. Severe asthma can adversely impact the quality of life for patients including limiting or impacting their ability to complete daily living tasks, work, and hobbies and enjoy other life enrichments.