Provides comprehensive and practical advice on the key issues of asthma management in both adult and paediatric patients. This title combines information on how to tackle practical, clinical issues, highlighting essential basic sciences to aid diagnosis, management and treatment.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF ASTHMA 1 Definition, classification, epidemiology and risk factors 2 Natural history 3 Pathogenesis DIAGNOSIS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF ASTHMA 4 Triggers of asthma 5 Diagnosis in children 6 Diagnosis in adults 7 Pulmonary function tests 8 Provocation tests 9 Investigations of allergy 10 Examination of sputum, exhaled gases and nasal cytology 11 Bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial biopsies ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF ASTHMA 12 Assessment of asthma control: symptoms, drug use, PEF, severity 13 Assessment of asthma control: quality of life 14 Assessment of asthma control: markers of inflammation 15 Primary prevention of asthma 16 Secondary allergen avoidance measures 17 Corticosteroids 18 Anti-allergic drugs 19 Immunosuppressive agents 20 Mediator antagonists and other new agents 21 Bronchodilators 22 Delivery systems 23 Immunotherapy 24 Other forms of treatment 25 Patient education 26 Self-management plans 27 Assessment of compliance MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA 28 General principles 29 Management of chronic asthma in children 30 Management of acute asthma in children 31 Management of chronic asthma in adults 32 Management of acute asthma in adults 33 Specific problems: occupational asthma 34 Specific problems: asthma induced by aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 35 Specific problems: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis 36 Specific problems: exercise-induced asthma 37 Specific problems: nocturnal asthma 38 Specific problems: asthma in pregnancy and pre-menses 39 Specific problems: corticosteroids resistant asthma 40 Specific problems: psychological factors 41 Specific problems: gastro-oesophageal reflux and asthma 42 Specific problems: cough 43 Specific problems: chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma 44 Specific problems: food allergy in asthma 45 Specific problems: difficult asthma 46 Specific problems: steroid-induced side effects 47 Acute complications of asthma 48 Chronic complications of asthma RUNNING AN ASTHMA SERVICE 49 Primary care 50 Hospital practice 51 Audit in asthma 52 Economics of asthma