Sleep disorders represent a major portion of the chief complaints seen by pulmonologists and other physicians. Sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome for example, are common disorders with significant adverse health consequences. Sleep apnea is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, impaired quality of life and increased motor vehicle accidents. In addition, sleep apnea often co-exists with other chronic conditions including obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and tobacco use disorder...

The concept of asthma being an "allergic disorder only" has dominated above others to an extent, that a re-evaluation of this issue in the light of very recent results from research in immunopathology seemed more than overdue. This volume provides a current concept of theory and clinical practice of immunopathology and therapy of asthma, comprising extensive and brand new laboratory data on atopy, intrinsic asthma, aspects of autoimmunology, as well as guidelines for allergen avoidance, im...

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, has a long and multifaceted scientific history. In 1937, the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine was awarded to Albert Szent-Gyorgyi'in recognition of his discoveries concerning the biological oxida tion processes with special reference to vitamin C', and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was shared by Sir Norman W. Haworth, who was the first to synthesize the vitamin. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and this action represented the theoretical basis for vari...

Over the past 20 years, diagnostic tests for pediatric pulmonologists have revolutionized care of children afflicted with respiratory disorders. These tests have been used to not only help in diagnosis, but also in the management and treatment of these children. Bronchoscopic, imaging and physiologic advances have improved clinical care of these children and have been used as outcome measures in research trials. Diagnostic Tests in Pediatric Pulmonology: Applications and Interpretation...

This book focuses on the fundamentals of the use of biologics in asthma, describing the rationale, principles, mechanisms of action, and indications. It offers an excellent balance between basic science and the analysis of clinical trials, updating readers with new developments that are changing the global scenario for targeted biological anti-asthma therapies, especially with regard to more severe disease. A range of therapies are considered, from the humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibod...

The mechanistic basis of chronic inflammation remains unclear. The research sheds new light on the immune cells expressing the activation markers HLA-DR and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the cells expressing Siglec receptors as being key players in the immune system responsiveness to antigens and thus in lung tissue damage of chronic inflammation. The results help understand the mechanisms of action of common drugs used in COPD, such as formoterol, tiotropium, or corticosteroids, and poin...

International researchers summarize the current understanding of peptic disease and trace the development of a novel new drug for peptic disease therapy-sucralfate. Contributors present laboratory research along side data from clinical trials as well as from the practice of medicine. Articles discuss the history of sucralfate's development, mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and future directions for research. This volume will be of interest to scientists and clinicians working in ga...

This book is an essential guide to the medical treatment of the cardiac patient and presents core principles of cardiovascular therapeutics as well as drug recommendations. Major classes of drugs are featured, including beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium antagonists, diuretics, and antiplatelet agents and unique insights into the controversies surrounding the use of specific drugs are explored, with answers given to the question: do beta blockers and diuretics really cause diabetes? Pr...

This in-depth text addresses how to approach and treat the chronic pain patient struggling with problematic opioid use. It discusses the approach for patients who may be at high risk of problematic use, such as those with a history of mental illness or substance use disorder. The first part covers diagnosis and treatment, focusing on common best practices that practitioners can adapt to any practice. Two of the chapters detail alternative and replacement therapies for opioid. Two more cove...

This book explores key developments in Non-medical Prescribing in the UK. Addressing the needs of countries in the European Market and beyond, which have been closely watching UK developments and would be interested in embedding or developing counterparts of their own.Featuring chapters by clinicians, leaders and practitioners in the UK Non-medical Prescribing arena, it identifies both current and potential future developments. Attention is paid to the different prescribing practic...