Bronchial asthma : principles of diagnosis and treatment : a guide for primary care physicians

"They asked if the sneezles came after the wheezles, or if the first sneezle came first. " It has been nearly 25 years since the first edition of this textbook was published. During that time, we have witnessed an enormous improvement in the understanding of the basic pathophysiology of asthma and, more importantly, better treatment options. However, and with regret, the incidence and prevalence of asthma during this 25 year period increased significantly. Recent studies from the NIH highlight this point and illustrate that despite improved care and diagnosis, mortality continues to rise. In fact, asthma remains the most common chronic childhood illness and is among the most common chronic adult diseases. Despite improved medications, increased awareness, and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease, mortality and morbidity continue to rise. Both international and national consensus positions have been published that offer guidance on treatment approaches. The importance of the primary care physician and provider cannot be overestimated in the appropriate diagnosis and management of this disease. The management options in asthma are changing rapidly with the advent of new drugs and approaches. The recent introduction of the leukotriene inhibitors has added an entirely new class of anti-inflammatory agents in the treatment of asthma. The potential of even newer approaches, including cellular modulation of the asthma patient with specific anti-IgE antibodies, opens up exciting possible treatments. Front Matter....Pages i-x Front Matter....Pages N3-N3 Pathogenesis of Asthma....Pages 1-27 Pathogenesis of Asthma....Pages 29-74 Front Matter....Pages N5-N5 Clinical and Allergic Evaluation of the Patient with Bronchial Asthma....Pages 75-93 The Role of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory in Patients with Bronchial Asthma....Pages 95-118 The Differential Diagnosis of Asthma in Childhood....Pages 119-135 Differential Diagnosis of Asthma in Adults....Pages 137-153 Treatment of Asthma in Children....Pages 155-199 Treatment of Asthma in Adults....Pages 201-231 Pregnancy, Lactation, and Asthma....Pages 233-253 Alternative Therapies in Asthma....Pages 255-278 Front Matter....Pages N7-N7 Asthma, Infection, and Environment....Pages 279-299 Exercise Induced Asthma....Pages 301-314 Foods, Additives, and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Asthma....Pages 315-341 Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis....Pages 343-363 Occupational Asthma....Pages 365-381 Anesthesia for Asthmatic Patients....Pages 383-399 Recreational Drug Abuse and Asthma....Pages 401-426 Front Matter....Pages N9-N9 Self-Management Programs for the Patient with Asthma....Pages 427-443 Psychological Considerations in Asthma....Pages 445-457 Asthma and the Law....Pages 459-464 Back Matter....Pages 465-476 Ch. 1. Pathogenesis of asthma: genetics and epidemiology Ch. 2. Pathogenesis of asthma: mediators and mechanisms Ch.3. Clinical and allergic evaluation of the patient with bronchial asthma Ch. 4. The role of the pulmonary function laboratory in patients with bronchial asthma Ch. 5. The differential diagnosis of asthma in childhood Ch. 6. Differential diagnosis of asthma in adults: asthma, occult asthma, and pseudoasthma Ch. 7. Treatment of asthma in children Ch. 8. Treatment of asthma in adults Ch. 9. Pregnancy, lactation, and asthma Ch. 10. Alternative therapies in asthma Ch. 11. Asthma, infection, and the environment Ch. 12. Exercise induced asthma: sports and athletes Ch. 13. Foods, additives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in asthma Ch. 14. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis Ch. 15. Occupational asthma Ch. 16. Anesthesia for asthmatic patients Ch. 17. Recreational drug abuse and asthma Ch. 18. Self-management programs for the patient with asthma: empowering the patient to make decisions that will improve outcomes Ch. 19. Psychological considerations in asthma: implications for treatment Ch. 20. Asthma and the law. This fourth edition of Gershwin & Albertson's classic Bronchial Asthma: Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment has been broadly updated and expanded to include, from a variety of disciplines, the latest diagnostic techniques, pharmacotherapies, and other developments in the clinical assessment and treatment of asthma. In addition to its comprehensive coverage and eminently readable presentation, this greatly enhanced edition describes the best practical approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of asthma in both adults and children; reviews the effects of pregnancy, exercise, and drug abuse on asthma; discusses the dramatic progress made in understanding asthma pathophysiology; and details the medical, legal, and social aspects of treating the asthma patient. Cutting-edge and highly practical, this fourth edition of Bronchial Asthma: Principles of Diagnosis and Treatment is an indispensable tool for all primary care providers, allergists, and pulmonologists treating patients with asthma today This reference for primary care providers describes diagnostic techniques, pharmacotherapies, and new developments in the clinical assessment and treatment of asthma. The volume begins with a review of basic definitions, the mechanisms, and the medications of asthma. The main part of the text is devoted to the management and recognition of asthma and special problems such as asthma in the pregnant patient, the pediatric patient, and the patient with exercise-induced asthma. Coverage extends to allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis, alternative and herbal medications, environmental and occupational effects, food additives, and recreational drug use. The psychological, social, and legal aspects of asthma also are addressed. c. Book News Inc Developed for primary care providers, this work offers a review of the basic mechanisms, medications and treatment of asthma. It emphasizes recognition and management of asthma, and highlights asthma in the pregnant patient, in the pediatric patient, and in the exercise-induced patient. This textbook is divided into four parts: definitions and host responses to bronchospasm; patient management; special clinical problems; and living with asthma. The incidence of asthma has increased over the past twenty years, especially in children.