The researchers conclude, "Bronchial thermoplasty in [patients]... with moderate or severe asthma results in an improvement in asthma control," writes Gerard Cox, M.B. and colleagues.
This experimental treatment has been conducted on an outpatient basis. Thermal heat is used to reduce the constriction of the muscular airways of the asthma patient.
The bronchial thermoplasty procedure seems to be effective in reducing the contractions of the airways that make breathing difficult for the asthmatic.
The one-year results of the study indicate a significant reduction in the symptoms and the need for additional medicines required for the asthmatic. This also included more symptom-free days, which resulted in better quality-of-life days for the study participants.
However this procedure does not take the place of the additional need for prescription bronchial inhalers, but the results do indicate a considerable difference in the need for these medicines as well.
Although the preliminary results are promising, more research is needed, according to James Li, M.D. and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic.
Asthma is a disease of the airways in which the lungs become inflamed, excessive mucus is produced in the airways, and the airways are restricted by contractions of the muscles.
There are currently about 20 million people who suffer from asthma in the U.S. alone, and it is estimated that 300 million people have been diagnosed and suffer from asthma nationwide.
