The last decade or so has seen remarkable advances in our knowledge of cough. This applies especially to its basic mechanisms: the types of airway sensors, the phar- cological receptors on their membranes, the brainstem organization of the ‘cough centre’, and the involvement of the cerebral cortex in the sensations and the vol- tary control of cough. With the exception of the last of these, nearly all the studies have been on experimental animals rather than humans, for obvious reasons. One group of experimental studies has particular relevance to human patients, and that is the demonstration of the sensitization of cough pathways both in the periphery and in the brainstem. Similar sensitizations have been shown for patients with chronic cough or who have been exposed to pollutants, and it is reasonable to suppose that this is the basis of their cough and that the underlying mechanisms are generally similar in humans and other species. Important advances are also being made in clinical cough research. For the three main causes of clinical cough, asthma, post-nasal drip syndrome, and gast- oesophageal re?ux disease, we are beginning to understand the pathological processes involved. There remains a diagnostically obdurate group of idiopathic chronic coughers, but even for them approaches are being devised to clarify und- lying mechanisms and to establish diagnoses. Perhaps surprisingly, the ?eld in which there has been the least spectacular - vance is the therapy of cough.

The last decade or so has seen remarkable advances in our knowledge of cough. This applies especially to its basic mechanisms: the types of airway sensors, the phar- cological receptors on their membranes, the brainstem organization of the ‘cough centre’, and the involvement of the cerebral cortex in the sensations and the vol- tary control of cough. With the exception of the last of these, nearly all the studies have been on experimental animals rather than humans, for obvious reasons. One group of experimental studies has particular relevance to human patients, and that is the demonstration of the sensitization of cough pathways both in the periphery and in the brainstem. Similar sensitizations have been shown for patients with chronic cough or who have been exposed to pollutants, and it is reasonable to suppose that this is the basis of their cough and that the underlying mechanisms are generally similar in humans and other species. Important advances are also being made in clinical cough research. For the three main causes of clinical cough, asthma, post-nasal drip syndrome, and gast- oesophageal re?ux disease, we are beginning to understand the pathological processes involved. There remains a diagnostically obdurate group of idiopathic chronic coughers, but even for them approaches are being devised to clarify und- lying mechanisms and to establish diagnoses. Perhaps surprisingly, the ?eld in which there has been the least spectacular - vance is the therapy of cough.

The last decade or so has seen remarkable advances in our knowledge of cough. This applies especially to its basic mechanisms: the types of airway sensors, the phar- cological receptors on their membranes, the brainstem organization of the ‘cough centre’, and the involvement of the cerebral cortex in the sensations and the vol- tary control of cough. With the exception of the last of these, nearly all the studies have been on experimental animals rather than humans, for obvious reasons. One group of experimental studies has particular relevance to human patients, and that is the demonstration of the sensitization of cough pathways both in the periphery and in the brainstem. Similar sensitizations have been shown for patients with chronic cough or who have been exposed to pollutants, and it is reasonable to suppose that this is the basis of their cough and that the underlying mechanisms are generally similar in humans and other species. Important advances are also being made in clinical cough research. For the three main causes of clinical cough, asthma, post-nasal drip syndrome, and gast- oesophageal re?ux disease, we are beginning to understand the pathological processes involved. There remains a diagnostically obdurate group of idiopathic chronic coughers, but even for them approaches are being devised to clarify und- lying mechanisms and to establish diagnoses. Perhaps surprisingly, the ?eld in which there has been the least spectacular - vance is the therapy of cough.

Written as a concise clinical reference guide covering the current and future airway disease treatments, this text encompasses: pathophysiology of respiratory tract diseases the methods of measuring airway and clinical responses the concepts upon which many treatments are used in COPD and asthma conditions the way in which these treatments work, and how new treatments can be discovered and tested in various patient groups state-of-the-art pharmacological and therapeutic approaches in controlling pathophysiological processes in the airways normal and abnormal physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of the respiratory tract basic mechanisms of inflammatory cell activation and pathophysiology in disease therapeutic ways of controlling inflammation ways of reversing or preventing airflow obstruction, and symptomatic treatments of advanced disease Emphasizing state-of-the-art pharmacological and therapeutic approaches in controlling pathophysiological processes in the airways, Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Airway Disease reviews normal and abnormal physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of the respiratory tract. Covering the basic mechanisms of inflammatory cell activation and pathophysiology in disease, therapeutic ways of controlling inflammation, reversing or preventing airflow obstruction, and symptomatic treatments of advanced disease.

This book provides an updated and comprehensive overview of cough, while opening new perspectives for their treatment and management. It enables readers to not only discover new physiologic features and mechanisms but also to gain an in-depth understanding of the diagnostic workup of cough, still one of the most frequent and challenging symptoms in daily medical practice. The book also provides insights into cough’s features and pathogenesis, as well as into pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. The most frequent causes of chronic cough (asthma, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux and chronic hypersensitivity syndrome) and different types of pediatric cough are also explored. Coughing is a common symptom, occurring in many clinical settings, and as such the book appeals a broad readership, including pulmonologists specialized in cough, general practitioners, internists, pediatricians and otorhinolaryngologists.

Cough is the most familiar symptom of respiratory disease, and a problem which general practitioners must deal with on a daily basis. This timely volume draws together a wealth of recent research into the mechanisms, pharmacology and therapies for cough, and places these in clinical context. The text incorporates guidelines on the most common causes of cough, discusses treatments and pitfalls in management, summarizes current research on physiology, pharmacology and treatment of cough, and gives practical advice on diagnosis and management issues for the clinician. Cough: Causes, Mechanisms and Therapy is the most comprehensive, up-to-date account of the subject. It will update clinical and basic medical scientists, and promote future research. Readers are encouraged to implement the clinical implications of the discussion into routine practice. This volume will appeal to all those involved in the treatment of respiratory disease, particularly those in hospital respiratory units, and will also be of use to interested general practitioners.

Cough is the most familiar symptom of respiratory disease, and a problem which general practitioners must deal with on a daily basis. This timely volume draws together a wealth of recent research into the mechanisms, pharmacology and therapies for cough, and places these in clinical context. The text incorporates guidelines on the most common causes of cough, discusses treatments and pitfalls in management, summarizes current research on physiology, pharmacology and treatment of cough, and gives practical advice on diagnosis and management issues for the clinician. Cough: Causes, Mechanisms and Therapy is the most comprehensive, up-to-date account of the subject. It will update clinical and basic medical scientists, and promote future research. Readers are encouraged to implement the clinical implications of the discussion into routine practice. This volume will appeal to all those involved in the treatment of respiratory disease, particularly those in hospital respiratory units, and will also be of use to interested general practitioners.

This book covers all the pharmacology you need, from basic science pharmacology and pathophysiology, through to clinical pharmacology to therapeutics, in line with the integrated approach of new medical curricula. The first section covers the basic principles, and the rest is organised by body systems. The book ends with sections on toxicity and prescribing practice. Integrates basic science pharmacology, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics Brief review of pathophysiology of major diseases Case histories and multiple choice questions (and answers) Tabular presentation of all common drugs within each class Section on further reading Kinetics chapter simplified with more practical examples Includes more on genetic issues Drug tables made more concise to make information more accessible Fully updated to reflect current clinical practice

This book is a practical resource for clinicians who manage patients with chronic cough, which represents a major challenge in the clinic due to multiple diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Essential assessments for cough and treatable traits are described, covering the upper and lower airways and the gastrointestinal tract, and appropriate treatments are identified according to the different findings and diagnoses. Based on recent mechanistic and clinical advances, the authors also discuss novel diagnostic and therapeutic options, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to control cough. Particular considerations of importance when dealing with chronic cough in children and the elderly are addressed separately. The book will be an invaluable guide and reference for all practitioners who require up-to-date information on how best to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with chronic cough.