Title
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Asthma Basics
Chapter 1: Knowing What’s Ailing You
Understanding the Relationship between Asthma and Allergies
Triggering Asthma and Allergic Reactions
Previewing Asthma and Related Conditions
Managing Asthma Effectively
Chapter 2: The Basics of Treating and Managing Your Asthma
Understanding Who Gets Asthma and Why
Uncovering the Many Facets of Asthma
Asthma and Your Airways
Diagnosing Asthma
Managing Your Asthma: Essential Steps
Chapter 3: Dealing with Doctor Visits
Preparing for Your First Visit
Knowing What Tests Your Doctor May Perform
Following Up: Second and Subsequent Visits
Paying for Your Care
Working Well with Your Doctor
Chapter 4: Managing Asthma Long-Term
Seeing What a Long-Term Management Plan Includes
Focusing on the Four Levels of Asthma Severity
Using the Stepwise Approach
Assessing Your Lungs
Taking Stock of Your Condition
Understanding Self-Management
Improving Your Quality of Life
Expecting the Best
Part II : Understanding Asthma Triggers
Chapter 5: Knowing Your Asthma Triggers
Recognizing What Triggers Your Asthma
Controlling Inhalant Allergens
Clearing the Air at Home
Working Out Workplace Exposures
Avoiding Drug and Food Triggers
Other Medical Conditions and Asthma
Chapter 6: Understanding Asthma and the Role of Allergies
Protecting Your Health: How Your Immune System Works
Classifying Immune System Components and Disorders
Classifying Abnormal Immune Responses
Developing an Immediate Hypersensitivity
Reaping the Benefits of Immunology
Chapter 7: Hay Fever and Asthma: The United Airway
Catching Up with Your Runny Nose
Classifying Types of Hay Fever
What Makes Noses Run?
Getting a Medical Evaluation
Managing Rhinitis
Chapter 8: Food Allergies and Asthma
Types of Adverse Food Reactions
Allergic Food Hypersensitivities
Nonallergic (Non-IgE) Food Hypersensitivities
Understanding the Differences between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance
Diagnosing Adverse Food Reactions
Avoiding Adverse Food Reactions
Chapter 9: Asthma and Exercise
Understanding EIA
Keeping Fit Despite EIA
Athletes and EIA
Part III : Treating Your Asthma
Chapter 10: Avoiding Allergens That Cause Respiratory Symptoms
Pollens
Molds
House Dust
Avoidance and Allergy-Proofing
The Great Indoors
Allergy-Proofing Begins at Home
Chapter 11: Getting Allergy Tested and Allergy Shots
Diagnosing with Skin Tests
Reviewing Immunotherapy
Looking at Future Forms of Immunotherapy
Chapter 12: Relieving Your Nasal Allergies
Getting Familiar with Pharmacology
Blocking Your Histamines: Antihistamines
Decongesting Your Nose
Two for the Nose: Combination Products
Using Nasal Corticosteroids
Cromolyn Sodium
Reducing Mucus with Anticholinergic Sprays
Treating Rhinitis with Leukotriene Modifiers
Keeping an Eye out for Allergic Conjunctivitis
Chapter 13: Treating Your Ear, Nose, and Throat Symptoms
Complicating Your Allergies and Asthma: Sinusitis
Otitis Media
Part IV : Controlling Asthma with Medications
Chapter 14: Knowing Asthma Medications
Taking Your Medicine: Why It’s Essential
Getting the Long and Short of Asthma Medications
Delivering Your Dose: Inhalers and Nebulizers
Chapter 15: Looking at Asthma Controller Drugs
Controlling Airway Inflammation with Corticosteroids
Preventing Respiratory Symptoms with Mast Cell Stabilizers
Dilating Your Airways with Long-Acting Bronchodilators
Relieving Nighttime Asthma with Theophylline
Reducing Respiratory Symptoms with Leukotriene Modifiers
Introducing the Newest Therapy on the Block: IgE Blocker
Chapter 16: Treating Asthma Episodes
Relieving Symptoms with Short-Acting Bronchodilators
Reversing Airflow Obstruction with Anticholinergics
Looking at Short-Term, Rescue Use of Oral Corticosteroids
Chapter 17: Future Trends in Asthma Therapy
Getting Better All the Time
Under Your Tongue: Swallow Immunotherapy
Blocking IgE: A Biotech Breakthrough
Exploring the Frontiers of Asthma Therapy
Keeping Research Alive: Clinical Trials and You
Part V : Special Asthma Conditions
Chapter 18: Asthma during Childhood
Understanding Your Child’s Asthma
Identifying Childhood-Onset Asthma
All That Wheezes Isn’t Asthma
Focusing on Special Issues Concerning Childhood Asthma
Handling Asthma at School and Daycare
Chapter 19: Pregnancy and Asthma
Identifying Special Issues with Asthma during Pregnancy
Breathing for Two
Chapter 20: Asthma and the Elderly
Recognizing Asthma Later in Life
Taking Asthma Medications When Older
Part VI : The Part of Tens
Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Traveling with Asthma
Planning a Safe, Healthy Trip
Adjusting Treatment for Travel
Taking Medications and Other Essentials
Getting Medications and Medical Help Abroad
Flying with Allergens and Irritants
Considering Allergy Shots and Travel
Reducing Trigger Exposures in Hotels and Motels
Avoiding Food Allergies during Your Trip
Finding Help in Case of Emergencies
Traveling with Your Asthmatic Child
Chapter 22: Ten Famous Folks with Asthma
Augustus Caesar
Peter the Great
Ludwig van Beethoven
Charles Dickens
Teddy Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
Leonard Bernstein
Liza Minnelli
Kenny G
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Appendix: Asthma Resources
Organizations
Asthma and Allergy Environmental-Control Products
Other Writings and Media about Asthma and Allergies