Asthma

This page discusses asthma and various treatment options. Visit our office to get help keeping your asthma symptoms under control.

Breathe easy, you're in good hands

If you or a loved one has asthma, then you know how important it is to have a controlled treatment plan for flare-ups and emergency situations. Seeing a specialist is imperative to getting your health back on track and keeping your asthma symptoms under control. Dr. Gupta and our other asthma specialists will work tirelessly to create treatment plans that help asthma patients breathe easier. Whether your asthma is worsened by seasonal allergens or daily activities, our team at Central Texas Allergy and Asthma has the knowledge and dedication necessary to provide you with different treatment options to suit your needs.

Asthma Treatments & Medications

Each patient will have an individual plan and medications best suited to them and their health needs, and asthma treatments typically depend on the severity and frequency of asthma attacks. During your initial visit, we will discuss your specific condition and symptoms, and we will work towards creating a treatment plan that best suits you.

Some Common Treatments for Asthma:

Steroid Inhalers
Bronchodilator Inhalers
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Biologics

About Biologics

Biologics are injectable medications used to treat patients with asthma, eczema, nasal polyps, chronic hives, and other conditions. Biologics are genetically-engineered medications made from the cells of living organisms that modify the part of the immune system that is causing symptoms. This reduces the inflammation that drives these conditions. They have been enormously beneficial for patients who have been suffering from severe asthma or eczema, or for those who have been dealing with itchy, dry, painful skin due to eczema. Studies have also shown biologics to be very safe.

Asthma

Some biologics we use for asthma are Xolair, Fasenra, Nucala, and Tezspire. They all have different requirements for approval, and they are used when patients are still having asthma symptoms despite consistent use of high dose asthma medications. Symptoms of asthma include frequent wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing; waking up at night due to shortness of breath; using albuterol several times a week; several courses of oral steroids due to flare ups; and frequent ER or urgent care visits due to poor asthma control. These medications are approved from ages 12 and up for asthma.

Hives

Biologics can also be used to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) in adults and children twelve years and older. This treatment is for individuals who continue to have hives that are not controlled by high dose antihistamine treatment and that do not have a known cause or trigger of hives that can be treated (such as thyroid abnormalities).

Eczema

When eczema is not well controlled with consistent lotion regimen, topical steroid use, and non-steroidal creams, there may be a role for biologics. These patients tend to have severe eczema that covers a significant portion of their body and are at higher risk of skin infections.

Nasal Polyps

Biologics can all be used for adult patients with nasal polyps that are not well controlled with nasal steroid sprays. These patients are chronically congested and often complain of a lack of smell or taste, inability to breathe through their nose, and frequent headaches/sinus pressure. This is an option that can be used to avoid surgery or prevent recurrent sinus infections from nasal polyps.