Approximately 25 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. This chronic respiratory condition causes wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Treatments for asthma are available, but there is no cure. Many people with asthma want to find new treatments to help them manage their condition. One way to do this is by participating in clinical trials.
What is a Clinical Trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests a new medical approach, device, medication, or other treatment. Clinical trials are used to determine if a new treatment is both safe and effective for humans. Most new treatments must go through three phases of testing before they can be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Why Participate in a Clinical Trial?
People participate in asthma clinical trials for a variety of reasons. Some people want to access treatments that are not yet available to the general public. Others want to help researchers learn more about a particular condition. And still others participate because they want to receive extra medical attention from specialists during the trial period.
How Does One Participate in a Clinical Trial?
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements set by the clinical trial team can participate in a trial. The first step is finding open trials near you. The National Institutes of Health has an online database that includes all federally and privately funded clinical trials taking place in the United States. Searching this database is free and easy- you can search by condition, such as “asthma,” or by location. Once you find a trial you’re interested in, reach out to the research team to learn more and ask any questions you may have about participation.
Conclusion:
If you or someone you love suffers from asthma, consider participating in a clinical trial! Clinical trials allow researchers to develop new treatments and improve existing ones. They also give participants access to cutting-edge treatments that are not yet available to the general public. Participation is easy- simply use the NIH website to find open trials near you and contact the research team to get started!
