All About Asthma

* Introduction * The Asthmatic Patient * The Lungs: What They Are and How They Work * The Causes of Bronchospasm * Making the Diagnosis of Asthma * The Role of Allergies in Causing Asthma * Laboratory Tests in the Management of Asthma * Bronchial Dilators and Ephedrine and Caffeine Families of Drugs * Cortisonelike Drugs * Other Useful Drugs * Breathing Exercises and Airway Obstruction * Management of Acute Asthma * Management of Long-Standing Asthma * Asthma in Children * Asthma and Pregnancy * Wheezing in Other Diseases * Coming Soon to Your Local Pharmacy? * Alternative Asthma Treatments * Finding and Working with Your Doctor * The Take-Home Message * Endnotes * Bibliography * Appendix Sources of Additional Information * Appendix Sources of Asthma and Average Peak Flows * Index