Asthma Sourcebook

Basic Consumer Health Information about the Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Asthma in Infants, Children, Teenagers, and Adults, Including Facts about Different Types of Asthma, Common Co-Occurring Conditions, Asthma Management Plans, Triggers, Medications, and Medication Delivery Devices

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing, that can vary from mild to life-threatening. Although medical researchers have identified some of the factors that can contribute to its development or trigger a flare-up, its ultimate cause remains a mystery; and although asthma can often be controlled, current medical knowledge does not offer a cure.

The number of people affected by asthma is on the rise. In the United States, more than 30 million people have been diagnosed with asthma, including nearly 9 million children. Worldwide, an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma predicts that by the year 2025, their numbers will increase to 400 million.

Asthma Sourcebook, Second Edition provides updated information about what is currently known about asthma causes, triggers, and treatments. It explains the complex relationship between asthma and conditions that often occur with it, including allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

A section on asthma management describes the steps that can be taken to reduce the number and severity of asthma flares, and a section on asthma treatment describes the different types of medications and delivery devices used to combat asthma. Special concerns about asthma management in children, including school-related issues, are described. Current research findings are discussed, and the book concludes with a glossary, directory of resources, and other information for people who need additional assistance.