Asthma's Impact on Society


Book Description

One of the first comprehensive studies of the social and economic consequences of this chronic pulmonary illness, Asthma's Impact on Society assesses how communities, families, and individuals confront asthma and try to minimize its deleterious effects. Written by over 25 highly esteemed experts, Asthma's Impact on Society defines the con




Severe Asthma


Book Description

Severe asthma is a form of asthma that responds poorly to currently available medication, and its patients represent those with greatest unmet needs. In the last 10 years, substantial progress has been made in terms of understanding some of the mechanisms that drive severe asthma; there have also been concomitant advances in the recognition of specific molecular phenotypes. This ERS Monograph covers all aspects of severe asthma – epidemiology, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment and management – but has a particular focus on recent understanding of mechanistic heterogeneity based on an analytic approach using various ‘omics platforms applied to clinically well-defined asthma cohorts. How these advances have led to improved management targets is also emphasised. This book brings together the clinical and scientific expertise of those from around the world who are collaborating to solve the problem of severe asthma.




Clearing the Air


Book Description

Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma. Recent studies have suggested that indoor exposuresâ€"to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutantsâ€"may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures. Clearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthmaâ€"its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.




Traffic-Related Air Pollution


Book Description

Traffic-Related Air Pollution synthesizes and maps TRAP and its impact on human health at the individual and population level. The book analyzes mitigating standards and regulations with a focus on cities. It provides the methods and tools for assessing and quantifying the associated road traffic emissions, air pollution, exposure and population-based health impacts, while also illuminating the mechanisms underlying health impacts through clinical and toxicological research. Real-world implications are set alongside policy options, emerging technologies and best practices. Finally, the book recommends ways to influence discourse and policy to better account for the health impacts of TRAP and its societal costs. - Overviews existing and emerging tools to assess TRAP's public health impacts - Examines TRAP's health effects at the population level - Explores the latest technologies and policies--alongside their potential effectiveness and adverse consequences--for mitigating TRAP - Guides on how methods and tools can leverage teaching, practice and policymaking to ameliorate TRAP and its effects




Preventing Chronic Diseases


Book Description

The major causes of premature adult deaths in all regions of the world, due to chronic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cancer, have been generally neglected on the international health and development agenda. Four out of every five chronic disease-related deaths in the world occur in low and middle income countries, where people tend to develop these diseases at a younger age and to die sooner. The death toll is projected to rise by a further 17 per cent in the next 10 years, whilst child obesity rates are increasing worldwide. This report examines the actual scale and severity of the problem using the most recent data available, considers the major risk factors and associated trends, and discusses the public health policy actions required to implement effective integrated chronic disease prevention and control measures.




The Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies


Book Description

Many common health problems can be treated with simple remedies you can do at home. Even if the steps you take don't cure the problem, they can relieve symptoms and allow you to go about your daily life, or at least help you until you're able to see a doctor. Some remedies, such as changing your diet to deal with heartburn or adapting your home environment to cope with chronic pain, may seem like common sense. You may have questions about when to apply heat or cold to injuries, what helps relieve the itch of an insect bite, or whether certain herbs, vitamins or minerals are really effective against the common cold or insomnia. You'll find these answers and more in Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. In situations involving your health or the health of your family, the same questions typically arise: What actions can I take that are immediate, safe and effective? When should I contact my doctor? What symptoms signal an emergency? Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies clearly defines these questions with regard to your health concerns and guides you to choose the appropriate and most effective response.




Patient Assessment in Clinical Pharmacy


Book Description

This comprehensive, first-of-its kind title is an indispensable resource for pharmacists looking to learn or improve crucial patient assessment skills relevant to all pharmacy practice settings. Pharmacists’ role as health care practitioners is evolving as they are taking a more active part in primary patient care -- helping patients manage their medications and diseases, providing patient education, and, in some jurisdictions, prescribing and adapting medications. To perform their day-to-day duties, pharmacists are best-served using a framework called the patient care process. This framework involves three steps: patient assessment; care plan development and implementation; and monitoring and follow up. Organized in four parts, this practical book begins with introductory chapters regarding the basics of patient assessment and the patient care process. Part II includes a detailed assessment of common symptoms encountered by pharmacists. Part III discusses assessment of patients with various chronic illnesses. Part IV addresses select specialized topics and assessment considerations. An invaluable contribution to the literature, Patient Assessment in Clinical Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Guide will be of great benefit to pharmacists, regardless of their practice setting, and to pharmacy students as well.




Bronchial Asthma


Book Description

A fully updated edition of a widely respected classic on the diagnosis and management of asthma in a variety of patient subpopulations. Though this fifth edition continues to emphasize the definition, medications, and use of asthma treatment plans, it also focuses on the special needs patient, including the pediatric patient, the pregnant patient, and the patient undergoing surgery, as well as on the perennial issues of exercise and asthma, pulmonary aspergillosis, occupation, recreational drug use, and psychological/social considerations. Highlights for the fifth edition include a liberal use of tables and charts to make the book more practical and user-friendly, updates on the many new pharmaceuticals used to treat asthma, and first-time sections on food sensitivity and the diagnosis of asthma.







European Lung White Book


Book Description