Severe asthma is a form of asthma that responds poorly to currently available medication, and its patients represent those with greatest unmet needs. In the last 10 years, substantial progress has been made in terms of understanding some of the mechanisms that drive severe asthma; there have also been concomitant advances in the recognition of specific molecular phenotypes. This ERS Monograph covers all aspects of severe asthma – epidemiology, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment and management – but has a particular focus on recent understanding of mechanistic heterogeneity based on an analytic approach using various ‘omics platforms applied to clinically well-defined asthma cohorts. How these advances have led to improved management targets is also emphasised. This book brings together the clinical and scientific expertise of those from around the world who are collaborating to solve the problem of severe asthma.

Revised and updated for its third edition, the Oxford Handbook of Respiratory Medicine is the must-have resource for junior doctors and students, and all clinicians caring for patients with respiratory problems. Concise, practical, and designed for rapid access to essential information, this handbook will ensure you have everything you need for the ward, clinic, or exams. This handbook covers the latest clinical guidelines and developments in the field. It features unique sections on practical procedures and a symptoms section to aid in differential diagnosis and clinical management. Practical advice on management is integrated throughout and a dedicated section on respiratory emergencies ensures you can cope with any eventuality. New sections such as thoracic ultrasound, indwelling pleural catheters, safe sedation, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing have been added, and all major respiratory diseases and symptoms are covered in practical, succinct chapters. This third edition will ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

A fully updated edition of a widely respected classic on the diagnosis and management of asthma in a variety of patient subpopulations. Though this fifth edition continues to emphasize the definition, medications, and use of asthma treatment plans, it also focuses on the special needs patient, including the pediatric patient, the pregnant patient, and the patient undergoing surgery, as well as on the perennial issues of exercise and asthma, pulmonary aspergillosis, occupation, recreational drug use, and psychological/social considerations. Highlights for the fifth edition include a liberal use of tables and charts to make the book more practical and user-friendly, updates on the many new pharmaceuticals used to treat asthma, and first-time sections on food sensitivity and the diagnosis of asthma.

This landmark volume discusses the characteristics and impact of the remodeling process on airway function and clinical disease expression within the airway in asthma, covering pharmacological therapies and possible future targets relevant to regulating the remodeling process. Emphasizes the importance of treating underlying airway inflammation and the relevance of structural alterations to the airway wall, including glandular increases, enhanced collagen deposition within the submucosa, increased vasculature, smooth hypertrophy, and hyperplasias! Tracing the development and maintenance of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, decline in lung function, and loss of reversibility evident in chronic asthma, Airway Remodelingdescribes the contribution of inflammatory cells in the development of airway structural changes examines how pharmaceutical agents act and whether existing treatments modify or prevent remodeling in chronically inflamed asthmatic airways considers whether neural pathways initiate as well as contribute to the airway inflammatory cascade that leads to remodeling reviews the action of cytokines and growth factors on ASM signaling outlines novel approaches to regulating smooth muscle growth clarifies whether permanent ventilatory incapacity in asthma is caused by the uncoupling of the airway and the role of the lung parenchyma details high-resolution computerized tomography scan to measure the internal size of the airway at baseline, during challenge, or after bronchodilatation and more!Improving lung function and quality of life by reducing the need for emergency care, hospital admissions, and systemic steroid administration, Airway Remodeling is a superb reference for pulmonologists and respiratory system specialists; physiologists; pneumologists; allergists; pharmacologists; molecular, cellular, and lung biologists; and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.

"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.

Pediatrician Plaut, a specialist in asthma treatment (Children with Asthma: A Guide for Parents, not reviewed, etc.), makes no bones about it: A well-informed patient, working with a knowledgeable health-care practitioner, can control his or her disease so completely that 'you will have symptoms no more than two days per week, will rarely miss school or work because of asthma, will rarely require an urgent visit to the doctor or emergency room, and will be able to exercise as long and as hard as anyone else.' Plaut goes on to provide readers-even those suffering frequent severe attacks of the disease-with the tools and an action plan for reaching these goals. He explains the anatomy and physiology of the disease; what asthma medications are available and how to use them (the proper technique when inhaling a medication is vital); and how to monitor and interpret peak flow (a measure of lung function and the most important early indicator of trouble). Plaut then discusses treatment plans in depth and includes clear, well-designed forms for tracking the disease and its treatment, plus a short 'asthma diary' for patients and their physicians. First-rate help, indispensable for those with asthma. ($30,000 ad/promo) ; 336 pg.-