The damage sustained as a part of airway remodeling is irreversible. However, treating inflammation early and regularly (with anti-inflammatory drugs) in patients with chronic asthma is believed to slow or even prevent airway remodeling. Patients who are suffering from ongoing asthma conditions should work closely with their physician to avoid or limit permanent airway damage. Many patients with asthma do not use medications appropriately – bronchodilators tend to be overused and corticosteroids tend to be underused. It is important to use medications as directed by the physician.

The damage is believed to be the result of what is essentially one of the body’s defense mechanisms operating unchecked. Hence, it is difficult for researchers to find a therapy that can reverse airway remodeling damage without damaging the body’s ability to repair itself. While very little is known about the successful reversal of airway remodeling damage, there are some preventative measures currently available that work by preventing inflammation in the airway.

The most frequently-used method for controlling inflammation in the airway, improving asthma management and preventing airway remodeling involves the use of corticosteroids. These drugs are very effective at preventing inflammation and can be taken on a regular basis as a preventative controller of asthma symptoms.

Early studies seem to indicate that corticosteroid drugs, when taken before serious damage has occurred in the airways, can prevent long-term decline in lung function. The drugs may also be capable of preventing or reducing the damage caused by airway remodeling. However, this research is preliminary.

While the current research is not conclusive, most physicians stress the use of anti-inflammatory drugs – even when the asthma patient feels fine – to decrease the chances of severe airway remodeling damage developing. Inflammation is often present in an asthma patient’s lungs even during those periods where they feel fine. It is important that individuals with asthma always continue to take their regular anti-inflammatory treatments, even during symptom-free periods.