Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the airways undergo changes when stimulated by allergens or other environmental triggers that causes an inability to breathe properly. There is inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and at least partial obstruction of the airways that cause both short and long-term symptoms. There is also excessive production of mucus.
The heightened responsiveness of asthmatic airways causes reactions to stimuli that trigger little or no change in the airways of normal subjects. The cause of this hyperresponsiveness is not clearly understood. There is some evidence that chronic inflammation may play a role.
The cause of asthma is multifactorial and includes both hereditary and environmental factors. Most cases of asthma are thought to be related to the presence of allergies, however not all persons with allergies have asthma and not all cases of asthma can be attributed to allergies.
Asthma affects up to 10% of the population or almost 15 million Americans. The prevalence of asthma has risen dramatically over the past several decades, the reasons for which are not known.
Asthma is treated with a variety of medications, both oral and inhaled. Intravenous medications and oxygen may be necessary in acute attacks.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
The importance of allergens in the development of asthma and the persistence of symptoms. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 2000
Unmet needs in adult asthma. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2000
Asthma: individual patient perspective and current unmet needs. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2000
Gastro-oesophageal reflux treatment for asthma in adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Limited (information only) patient education programs for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Vaccines for preventing influenza in people with asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000
Developing and communicating a long-term treatment plan for asthma. American Family Physician. 2000
The role of atypical organisms in asthma. Allergy & Asthma Proceedings. 2000
Gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2000
Workplace respiratory irritants and asthma. Occupational Medicine. 2000
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
