This book provides discussions on bronchial asthma from a clinical perspective, focusing on the recent studies on its pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. It also explores the lastest findings regarding the phenotypes and endotypes of asthmatic patients, making it of particular interest to those involved with non-eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilic asthma. Further, it discusses the importance of ILC 2 in eosinophilic asthma, and the accumulated results from the forced oscilliation technique and periostin that are actively practiced in Japan. As some aspects of diagnosis and treatment are different in Western and Asian countries, it is important that the data is disseminated around the globe. The clinical questions addressed by the authors are critical and thought provoking, while the questions raised by the editors are instructive, informative and provide new perspectives on unresolved issues. This book appeals to wide readership from beginning learners to physicians in clinical practice and scholars engaging in basic research.

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.

Personalized medicine is a rapidly emerging area in health care, and asthma management lends itself particularly well to this new development. This practical resource by Dr. Stanley J. Szefler helps you navigate the many asthma medication options available to your patients, as well as providing insights into those which may be introduced within the next several years. - Features a wealth of information on available asthma medications, including new immunomodulators, new responses to treatment, and new treatment strategies at all levels of asthma care. - Prepares you to meet your patients' needs regarding asthma exacerbation prevention and asthma prevention. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this timely area into one convenient resource.

This book provides a practical, stepwise, evidence-based approach to effective management of patients with difficult to treat asthma. The impact of asthma on morbidity and healthcare utilization increases exponentially with severity. Severe refractory asthma accounts for less than 5% of all asthma. Its prevalence, however, is often overestimated as there are several other confounding factors that make asthma ‘difficult to treat’. Many novel (albeit expensive) therapies are now available and providers caring for patients with severe asthma are charged with selecting the best evidence treatment. This calls for complex and nuanced decision-making. Whether people with asthma gain and maintain control over their condition depends not only on the availability of effective drugs, but also multiple patient and healthcare provider behaviors. Therefore, now more than ever, it has become increasingly important to differentiate “difficult” from “severe refractory” asthma to allow identification of patients most likely to benefit from these therapies. This volume delves into the current understanding of mechanisms and increasingly recognized heterogeneity of this complex disease. It discusses a structured approach to identification and optimization of factors contributing to poor asthma control, including nonadherence, comorbidities and occupational/environmental triggers. The book includes ‘state of the art’ reviews on recent advances in traditional and targeted asthma therapies, as well as a glimpse into what the future may hold. Highlights include a comprehensive guide to management of severe asthma in children and pregnancy, as well as practical considerations to management of asthma based on different clinical phenotypes. Each chapter is authored by leading experts in the field who share their own clinical approach. This is an ideal guide for clinical pulmonologists and allergist/immunologists, as well as primary care providers, physician extenders in specialty practice, physicians in pulmonary/allergy training, and even industry partners.

The Second Edition of Asthma and COPD: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Management continues to provide a unique and authoritative comparison of asthma and COPD. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, it continues to be a comprehensive review of the most recent understanding of the basic mechanisms of both conditions, specifically comparing their etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments. * Each chapter considers Asthma and COPD in side-by-side contrast and comparison – not in isolation - in the context of mechanism, triggers, assessments, therapies, and clinical management * Presents the latest and most comprehensive understandings of the mechanisms of inflammation in both Asthma and COPD * Most extensive reference to primary literature on both Asthma and COPD in one source. * Easy-to-read summaries of the latest advances alongside clear illustrations

This is the most comprehensive, authoritative guide to asthma, covering everything from the causes of attacks to the best treatment program, and featuring practical, straightforward advice on handling special cases.

This book is a combination of recent advances in two major areas of orthopaedics: Bone tumours and Osteoarthritis. All chapters are contributed by well-known researchers and surgeons in Orthopaedics working across the globe. The book is divided into two major parts for clarity. All authors have contributed their original research, their experience in the field, and the recent advances that will keep the reader well informed and up to date in our understanding of bone tumours and osteoarthritis. This is a 'must have' reference book for any medical library or an individual who is keen to update and have CME (continuous medical education) points added to their learning.

Asthma is one of the most important diseases affecting our society. It is an extremely common condition that reduces quality of life, and acute exacerbations can be life-threatening. It affects a disproportionate number of children. With the overwhelming volume of research being carried out in this field specialists need a method of keeping up-to-date with current opinion. As with the other 'Challenges' books, 'Challenges in Asthma' is aimed at hospital specialists and therefore assumes a certain level of knowledge about the disease. It builds on this by discussing only areas of controversy and uncertainty in both the basic understanding of asthma and its management. An international author list will provide stimulating debate with, and ultimately draw some conclusions from, existing data which will benefit readers in their day-to-day practice.

Introductory Chapter: The Contribution of Cohort Studies to Health Sciences.

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.