Asthma is a common condition with increasing prevalence. This new edition of the highly regarded ABC of Asthma has been thoroughly revised with reference to the latest British Thoracic Society guidelines on the management of asthma in children and adults. It covers the advances in practice and methods, with a new emphasis on delivery systems, self-dose assessment and delivery of care with different pharmacological approaches. The ABC of Asthma is a concise, up-to-date overview of all aspects of asthma and includes two new chapters focussing on GP practice issues including clinical management and organisation of asthma care. It is ideal for GPs, junior doctors and medical students, nurses, and anyone dealing with the treatment of asthma in children and adults.

Employs the letters of the alphabet to introduce terms related to asthma and its treatment.

Asthma Management: Clinical Pathways, Guidelines, and Patient Educatio n is a comprehensive disease management program designed to assist cli nicians in diagnosing and effectively controlling asthma. It provides detailed guidelines on all aspects of managing asthma from the initial diagnosis in the clinical examination to the treatment strategy which may include drug therapy and lifestyle modification. This essential r esource also includes easy-to-read patient education handouts, which t each and encourage patients to comply with interventions, while becomi ng active participants in managing their chronic condition.

Contents: definition; epidemiology; risk factors; mechanisms of asthma; diagnosis and classification; prevention; a six-part asthma management program (educate patients to develop a partnership in asthma management; assess and monitor asthma severity; avoid or control asthma triggers; establish medication plans for long-term management; establish plans for managing exacerbations; provide regular follow-up care); socioeconomics; education and the delivery of care; recommendations; glossary. Extensive references. Charts and tables.