New Therapies Bring Hope for Asthma Patients

Emirati Patient Praises Therapy for the Effective Treatment of Asthma and Provides Encouragement and Support for Other Patients

New therapies for the management and treatment of asthma are delivering measurable results in the United Arab Emirates, according to physicians at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. 

Asthma affects people of all ages, usually starting in childhood and requiring individualized, specialist and lifelong management of symptoms using a variety of therapies. 

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has introduced a range of diagnosis and treatment programs from the US-based Cleveland Clinic, which is ranked among the top-three US hospitals for pulmonary care, to expand the choice of treatments available for patients in the region.

Dr. Mohamed Abuzakouk, Consultant in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Clinical Professor of Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio explained: “Because it is a complex condition, particularly in patients with severe cases of asthma, we look to diagnose and treat the condition with a diverse team of specialists including pulmonologists, allergists, and ENT physicians.”

“Management includes monitoring of symptoms and lung function, patient education, controlling environmental factors and pharmacological therapy. We are constantly evaluating the new range of therapies as they become available since these can be particularly useful for patients who haven’t responded well to existing medical treatments,” he added.

After years of living with severe asthma symptoms, a young female Emirati patient was treated with a relatively new therapy that is still only available in a few places. The treatment, a biologic therapy for chronic severe asthma , targets the immune system without adverse effects and achieves remarkable results. 

The patient, N. A. Al Zaabi said: “I had severe asthma symptoms for four or five years and did not respond to other treatments, but when I tried this new therapy it worked almost immediately. Normal everyday things like wearing perfume, enjoying flowers and the smell of food used to cause me distress, but now I can enjoy them. The change in my quality of life has been significant and I am receiving on-going support from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to help manage my asthma in the long-term. I would encourage all patients to stay optimistic, since the treatment options continue to increase.” 

Because there are more than 300 million people living with asthma around the world, the condition is a major area for medical research and innovation. 

Asthma can be more difficult to manage during the colder months of November, December and January, since cold, dry air can irritate airways and cause the muscles inside to spasm. In addition, the increased prevalence of flu viruses can exacerbate asthma symptoms. 

Patients who are concerned about their asthma are advised to see a doctor to develop an asthma action plan. Patients who wish to book an appointment at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi can visit: https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/patients-and-visitors/forms-and-documents/pages/request-an-appointment.aspx