Gwinnett Daily Post

SNELLVILLE -- Eastside Medical Center now offers a severe asthma treatment recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Officials at the Snellville hospital said Eastside is among the first hospitals in the Atlanta area to offer bronchial thermoplasty, which is designed for patients 18 and older who have had little success controlling their asthma with current "standard-of-care" medicines.

According to a statement released by Eastside, the Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, recently approved by the FDA, can improve asthma quality of life and reduce asthma attacks.

"We are so pleased to offer such a great service to chronic asthmatic patients in our community who are compliant with their drug regimen, but continue to have acute asthmatic attacks requiring hospitalization," said Eastside pulmonologist Dr. Gregory Mauldin.

Each treatment last about 45 minutes. Three are typically needed, Mauldin said.

For more information, call 770-979-0200 or visit eastsidemedical.com.