Synopsis
Combating the rising prevalence and morbidity of asthma around the globe, this critical reference investigates environmental factors and prescribes preventive measures for the pathogenesis and treatment of asthma. Extensive analyses of allergens and pollutants document the causal relationships between environmental exposure and asthmatic problems.
Systematically highlighting numerous environmental determinants, Environmental Asthma
• identifies key methods to recognize, measure, and monitor environmental aspects impacting asthma management
• examines the stages of antigen-induced airway disease, various allergic responses, and the role of inflammatory mediators and cells
• profiles the biology, molecular characteristics, and assessment of dust mite allergens and acute airway responses
• focuses on the relationship between fungal sensitivity and asthma, and details fungal allergens, their environments, and prophylactic procedures
• pinpoints efforts to screen sources of air pollution, including sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, acid aerosols, and ozone
• considers a variety of diagnostic approaches such as pulmonary function testing, radiology, arterial blood gases, and atopy
• explores the objectives, indications, and contraindications of immunotherapy for asthma
• forecasts future directions encompassing risk factors, population studies, and containment
• and much more!
Written by renowned experts and containing over 1000 literature references, drawings, photographs, and x-rays, Environmental Asthma is an outstanding reference for pulmonologists, clinical immunologists, allergists, primary care physicians, internists, pediatricians, and medical school students in these disciplines.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Kathleen F. Maurer, MD, MPH(Hartford Hospital)
Description:This volume in the Lung Biology in Health and Disease series covers environmental asthma.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide a comprehensive yet readable survey of research and clinical issues involving environmental exposure and its relationship to asthma. Edited by Robert K. Bush and organized into 15 chapters, the subject matter ranges widely. Several of the topics include the current scientific understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of asthma, the role of a variety of occupational and environmental exposures in the pathogenesis of asthma, asthma treatment modalities, and an introduction to the controversies surrounding immunotherapy in the treatment of asthma.
Audience:For a clinician, student, or physician in training, this book provides an excellent introduction to the relationship of environmental exposure and asthma.
Features:The strength of this volume lies in its breadth of coverage of not only environmental asthma, but also the current scientific understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and its attention to clinical care. Although not designed as a comprehensive reference tool, each chapter is remarkably thoroughly referenced.
Assessment:The author's attention to the medical evaluation of the asthmatic patient and the role of the occupational and environmental history will be especially useful to the practicing physician. As the prevalence of asthma increases, effective means of disease treatment and intervention become increasingly important. Understanding the role of environmental and occupational exposures in the development and course of this disease, and how to address those impacts from a clinical perspective are extremely useful contributions of this volume. This book presents an excellent and comprehensive review of the current scientific literature on its subject. While its research-focused content is rewarding to read, the authors' abilities to successfully integrate clinical information with scientific research makes this an outstanding text that is of value to a wide range of medical practitioners. That the volume achieves this meaningful practical application speaks highly of its editors and many contributors.