Asthma for Dummies. (For Dummies)

The incidence of asthma is rising dramatically in the United States and across the globe. Asthma affects 17 million people in the U.S. and is the most common chronic childhood disease. If you or someone you love suffers from asthma, you know that there is no cure—however, with proper care, asthmatics can lead normal, active, and fulfilling lives. Now you can breathe easy with this plain-English guide, which clearly explains the prevention, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of the disease.

Asthma For Dummies will help asthma sufferers and their loved ones get a strong handle on managing the disease. Dr. William Berger, one of the nation’s foremost experts on allergies and asthma, gives you the tools you need to:

• Understand the relationship between allergies and asthma
• Identify your asthma triggers
• Prepare for your first doctor’s visit
• Allergy-proof your home or office environment
• Avoid asthma complications
• Find outside support

Featuring up-to-date coverage of childhood asthma, this easy-to-understand guide covers all the vital issues surrounding asthma, including handling food allergies, exercising when asthmatic, asthma during pregnancy, and all the latest medications. You’ll find tips on avoiding allergens that cause respiratory symptoms, testing for allergies, and dealing with HMOs. This fact-packed guide also features:

• A dedicated chapter to asthma in the elderly
• The latest information on Claritin and Clarinex, two common allergy medications taken by those with asthma
• The interrelationships between asthma and other respiratory complications of untreated allergy such as ear, sinus, tonsil, and adenoid disease
• Extensive information on controller drugs and rescue medications
• Future trends in asthma therapy

Offering the latest on allergy shots and tips for traveling with asthma, Asthma for Dummies will relieve your anxiety about asthma, help you control your triggers, and manage the disease long-term.

"Every person with asthma or allergies should own this book!"

—Nancy Sander, President, Allergy and Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics

Features up-to-date coverage of childhood asthma

Identify your triggers and manage your asthma long-term

Anxious about asthma? You can breathe easy with this plain-English guide, which clearly explains the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of the disease. You’ll find useful information on the relationship between allergies and asthma, exercise’s link to asthma, asthma during pregnancy and in the elderly, and all the latest medications.

Praise for Asthma For Dummies

"A must read for anyone who suffers or knows someone who suffers from asthma. Asthma doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines. You can even become an NFL running back!"

—Jerome Bettis, Running Back

"You can still achieve your life-long Olympic dreams even with asthma."

—Al Joyner, Olympic Champion, first American in 80 years to win the Gold Medal in the Triple Jump

"Take it from someone who knows what it’s like to carry a handful of inhalers. . . . This is a book to breathe by!"

—Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy

Discover how to:

• Use rescue medications
• Allergy-proof your home
• Deal with doctors and insurance
• Handle food allergies
• Avoid asthma complications
• Find outside support

William E. Berger, MD, MBA, has been diagnosing and treating patients with allergies and asthma for over 25 years and has served as president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Foreword.

Introduction.

Part I: Asthma Basics.

Chapter 1: Knowing What’s Ailing You.

Chapter 2: The Basics of Treating and Managing Your Asthma.

Chapter 3: Dealing with Doctor Visits.

Chapter 4: Managing Asthma Long-Term.

Part II: Understanding Asthma Triggers.

Chapter 5: Knowing Your Asthma Triggers.

Chapter 6: Understanding Asthma and the Role of Allergies.

Chapter 7: Hay Fever and Asthma: The United Airway.

Chapter 8: Food Allergies and Asthma.

Chapter 9: Asthma and Exercise.

Part III: Treating Your Asthma.

Chapter 10: Avoiding Allergens That Cause Respiratory Symptoms.

Chapter 11: Getting Allergy Tested and Allergy Shots.

Chapter 12: Relieving Your Nasal Allergies.

Chapter 13: Treating Your Ear, Nose, and Throat Symptoms.

Part IV: Controlling Asthma with Medications.

Chapter 14: Knowing Asthma Medications.

Chapter 15: Looking at Asthma Controller Drugs.

Chapter 16: Treating Asthma Episodes.

Chapter 17: Future Trends in Asthma Therapy.

Part V: Special Asthma Conditions.

Chapter 18: Asthma during Childhood.

Chapter 19: Pregnancy and Asthma.

Chapter 20: Asthma and the Elderly.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Traveling with Asthma.

Chapter 22: Ten Famous Folks with Asthma.

Appendix: Asthma Resources.

Index.