By: Cole Miller
cmiller@klkntv.com
There's some exciting news on the health front. A new procedure here in Lincoln is helping those who suffer from severe asthma.
The procedure itself is relatively new and has only been around for a few years. Now, it's making a difference on lives right here in our own backyard.
There won't be too many more nice days to take a relaxing stroll. But 39–year–old Sharon Kosta plans on spending as much time outside as she can.
"It's really hard when you can't breath to have a good quality of life," Kosta said.
Since age 6, Kosta has suffered from severe asthma, relying heavily on medication. Now, a new procedure is making her life easier. Kosta is actually the first person in Nebraska to go through with it, thanks in part to Dr. John Trapp, a pulmonologist with Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties.
It's called bronchial thermoplasty and here's how it works. A pulmonologist uses a bronchoscope to reach the lungs. Once the designated airway is reached, the tip of the device extends then expands. From there, it's heated with radiofrequency energy, shrinking the muscle and reducing inflammation, thus making breathing easier.
It's done in three separate procedures, and in most cases, the patient goes home the same day.
"It offers us one more line of therapy that we can offer our patients with the most severe symptoms of asthma. They don't have to travel to other facilities outside of the state to have this procedure done, they can come here to Lincoln and we can provide this as a benefit and a procedure for them," Dr. Trapp said.
For Sharon, it's been life changing.
"Well, it's not a cure, and I realize that, but it has greatly impacted how I live my life. I can do things that I couldn't do before."
Sharon also says she's cut her medication use in half since undergoing the procedure. Dr. Trapp and his team say they're looking forward to helping out more people live better lives.
