Severe Asthma: Pathogenesis and Clinical Management (Lung Biology in Health and Disease)

Providing comprehensive coverage of the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management of asthma from a multidisciplinary perspective, this thoroughly revised and updated reference reports the most recent breakthroughs in antiinflammatory therapies, herbal medications, airway remodeling, and disease prevention strategies. Addresses current d CONTENTS......Page 23 INTRODUCTION......Page 11 PREFACE......Page 13 CONTRIBUTORS......Page 17 Asthma as a Progressive Disease......Page 33 Genetic Influences on Asthma Severity......Page 51 Pulmonary Physiology of Severe Asthma in Children and Adults......Page 71 Inflammatory Mediators and Neural Mechanisms in Severe Asthma......Page 99 Role of Airway Remodeling in Severe Asthma......Page 121 Pharmacological Management of Severe Asthma......Page 157 Leukotrienes and Antileukotriene Therapy in Severe Asthma......Page 185 Molecular Mechanisms of Glucocorticoid Action......Page 199 Nocturnal Asthma as a Component of Severe Asthma......Page 227 Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Asthma......Page 253 Gastroesophageal Reflux in Severe Asthma......Page 271 Application of Imaging Procedures in the Diagnosis and Management of Severe Asthma......Page 303 Chronic Infection and Severe Asthma......Page 335 Sleep Disorders in Severe Asthma......Page 355 Allergen-Specific Therapy for Severe Asthma......Page 375 Aspirin, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, and Preservatives as Causes for Severe Asthma......Page 393 Occupational Asthma......Page 421 Clinical Significance of Rhinosinusitis in Severe Asthma and Its Management......Page 451 Monitoring Activity of Severe Asthma......Page 485 Psychosocial Aspects of Severe Asthma in Children......Page 503 Growth Impairment Related to Severe Asthma......Page 537 Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis......Page 565 Management of Severe Asthma......Page 607 Steroid-Resistant Asthma......Page 629 Prevention of Severe Asthma......Page 653 AUTHOR INDEX......Page 669 SUBJECT INDEX......Page 691 The purpose of this chapter is to describe the natural history of asthma through the different stages of the life cycle.