From Publishers Weekly
Similar in scope to other excellent publications from the Harvard Medical School, this authoritative overview of asthma a disease that afflicts millions of Americans will be welcomed by patients and their families. With editorial assistance from Waring, these three leading physicians who practice at the Partners Asthma Center, have written a guide in layman's terms. The authors explain how asthma is diagnosed and how the various symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest, manifest themselves in different individuals. A large portion of the book is devoted to a lengthy and highly useful discussion of the current therapies available, as well as the pros and cons of specific medications. Although the authors do not recommend alternative and complementary therapies, because they consider them to be largely unproven, they do single out emotional stress as an asthma trigger; other triggers, such as allergens and environmental pollutants, are also identified, along with suggestions for avoiding or alleviating them. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Book Description
Take control of your asthma now wih this easy-to-follow personalized approach Shortness of breath. Tightness in the chest. Wheezing and coughing. These distressing symptoms are a daily fact of life for many of the fifteen million Americans who suffer from asthma, including nearly six million children -- and asthma is on the rise. But even those with severe asthma can lead full, active lives with the help of the experts at Harvard Medical School and Partners Asthma Center. Here is a commonsense guide that includes: Cutting-edge therapies such as anti-IgE therapy and leukotriene-blocking drugs -- as well as complementary and alternative medicine treatments Practice sessions that help you create a personalized program to prepare for acute asthma attacks Plus, special sections addressing issues faced by: Women -- how pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy may affect your asthma The elderly -- how to distinguish asthma from other respiratory conditions such as emphysema
Book Info
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Consumer text discusses cutting-edge therapies for asthma as well as complementary and alternative medicine treatments. Outlines a plan of action for prevention and treatment of adults and children with asthma. Softcover.
About the Author
Christopher H. Fanta, M.D., is director of Partners Asthma Center and one of its cofounders. He is a member of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Brigham and Women's Hospital and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Asthma FROM THE PUBLISHER
Shortness of breath. Tightness in the chest. Wheezing and coughing. These distressing symptoms are a daily fact of life for many of the fifteen million Americans who suffer from asthma, including nearly six million children -- and asthma is on the rise. But even those with severe asthma can lead full, active lives with the help of the experts at Harvard Medical School and Partners Asthma Center. Here is a commonsense guide that includes:
Cutting-edge therapies such as anti-IgE therapy and leukotriene-blocking drugs -- as well as complementary and alternative medicine treatmentsPractice sessions that help you create a personalized program to prepare for acute asthma attacks
Plus, special sections addressing issues faced by:
Women -- how pregnancy and hormone replacement therapy may affect your asthmaThe elderly -- how to distinguish asthma from other respiratory conditions such as emphysema
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Similar in scope to other excellent publications from the Harvard Medical School, this authoritative overview of asthma a disease that afflicts millions of Americans will be welcomed by patients and their families. With editorial assistance from Waring, these three leading physicians who practice at the Partners Asthma Center, have written a guide in layman's terms. The authors explain how asthma is diagnosed and how the various symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest, manifest themselves in different individuals. A large portion of the book is devoted to a lengthy and highly useful discussion of the current therapies available, as well as the pros and cons of specific medications. Although the authors do not recommend alternative and complementary therapies, because they consider them to be largely unproven, they do single out emotional stress as an asthma trigger; other triggers, such as allergens and environmental pollutants, are also identified, along with suggestions for avoiding or alleviating them. (Jan.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Inspired by the patient education initiatives at the Partners Asthma Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, physicians Fanta, Lynda Cristiano, and Kenan Haver wrote this excellent resource for asthmatics who want to understand their disease better. Explanations of the biological processes that occur in asthma and how they manifest themselves in asthmatic attacks-combined with the mechanisms of various available asthma medications-help clarify what steps to take (if any) in different situations. The authors also discuss newer medications and nonpharmacologic and alternative therapies. Readers will have enough information to create "Asthma Action Plans" to assist them, along with their families, friends, and co-workers, in taking decisive action during an asthma attack. Even health professionals who need brushing up will benefit. That said, the consumer will need to have an advanced reading level to reap the benefits of this content-rich resource.-Joanne Rich, Health Sciences Libs., Univ. of Washington, Seattle Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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