Treating asthma
Procedures
In cases of severe asthma that are not improved by long-term medications, a procedure called bronchial thermoplasty may be recommended.1
Bronchial thermoplasty is a procedure in which your doctor heats the inside of your airways with an electrode. This aims to reduce the smooth muscle in the airways, limiting their ability to tighten and cause asthma attacks.
This is not currently widely available, or right for every person with asthma. It tends to take three visits to complete treatment.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Asthma. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369660. Last accessed April 2025.