Methods in Asthmology

Bronchial asthma is a multifactorial disease. Cooperation between pneumologists, physiologists, immunologists, pharmacologist and pediatricians is frequently needed for the complete investigation of an asthma case. This means that a physician in general practice cannot alone assess all the aspects of asthma employing different technigues to manage this disease. This book will provide physicians with a unique source on the principal methods which can be used to analyze individual cases of asthma and a helpful refrence source for better understanding the multiple pathways to the disease. Front Matter....Pages I-X Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Definition and Classification of Asthma....Pages 3-23 Physiology of the Airways....Pages 24-49 Asthma: Origin, Mechanisms, and Clinical Aspects....Pages 50-64 Front Matter....Pages 65-65 Genetic Predisposition in Asthma....Pages 67-72 Endocrinological Changes and Asthma....Pages 73-76 Psychogenic Factors in Asthma....Pages 77-85 Front Matter....Pages 87-87 Volume, Flow, and Resistance Assessment in Asthma....Pages 89-125 Distributional Methods and Invasive and Noninvasive Gas Analysis in Asthma....Pages 126-155 Front Matter....Pages 157-157 Skin Tests and Radioimmunological Assays....Pages 159-168 Allergen Administration in Bronchial Provocation Tests....Pages 169-181 Front Matter....Pages 183-183 Radiogas and Radioaerosol Production, Imaging, and Dosimetry in Asthmology....Pages 185-218 Physical Agents in Bronchial Provocation Tests: Nebulized Hypoosmolar Aerosol....Pages 219-225 Physical Agents in Bronchial Provocation Tests: Nebulized Hyperosmolar Aerosol....Pages 226-237 Chemical Agents in Bronchial Provocation Tests....Pages 238-252 Pharmacological Agents in Bronchial Provocation Tests....Pages 253-264 Occupational Agents in Bronchial Provocation Tests....Pages 265-280 Exercise and Hyperventilation Provocation Challenges....Pages 281-307 Mediators in Bronchial Provocation Tests....Pages 308-343 Front Matter....Pages 345-345 Long- and Short-Term Reversibility Tests....Pages 347-353 Front Matter....Pages 355-355 In Vivo Experimental Methods for Assessing Muscle Tone Involvement in Bronchial Constriction....Pages 357-369 Front Matter....Pages 355-355 In Vitro Experimental Methods for Assessing Tracheobronchial Smooth Muscle Contraction....Pages 370-400 Evaluation of In Vitro Data on Agents Acting on Respiratory Smooth Muscle Tone....Pages 401-407 Methods for Assessing Airway Blood Flow in Asthma....Pages 408-417 Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Asthma....Pages 418-446 Back Matter....Pages 447-467