Immunological aspects of asthma

Amos, Harold

doi:10.1136/pgmj.47.545.166

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

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“…Inhaled antigenic material passes across the surface-lining film and mucosal layer to react with reaginic material adherent to the mast cells lying between the mucosal and bronchiolar muscle layers causing release of histamine and other constrictor agents. The link between the antigen-antibody reaction on the one hand and on the other, bronchiolar muscle contraction together with the mucosal response which includes the secretion of large amounts of eosinophilcontaining mucoid material, is not yet fully understood (Amos, 1971).…”

Section: Patho-physiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The physiology and management of childhood asthma

Jones

1971

Postgraduate Medical Journal

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Section: Patho-physiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The physiology and management of childhood asthma

Jones

1971

Postgraduate Medical Journal

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Chronic obstructive airway diseases. Current concepts in diagnosis and comprehensive care

Hodgkin¹

1975

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

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Physicians and paramedical personnel often find the early diagnosis and differentiation of obstructive airway diseases to be a challenging problem. The history and physical examination are often not enough to allow the physician to detect either the presence of, or determine the type of, disease present. Patterns of pulmonary function abnormality to determine the presence of obstructive or restrictive defects are discussed. Guidelines useful in the differentiation of obstructive airway diseases are presented. Once a patient with COAD is assessed, the physician needs to outline a therapeutic program after establishing goals with the patient. These goals include (1) improved ability for the patient to achieve relief from symptoms and (2) improved capacity to carry out the activities of daily living. The therapeutic modalities available for the comprehensive care of patients with COAD are discussed. These include general factors such as patient and family education, avoidance of smoking and other inhaled irritants, avoidance of infection, a minimum stress environment, high fluid intake, and proper nutrition. The appropriate use of the medications most commonly employed in the teatment of these patients, eg, bronchodilators, expectorants, antimicrobials, corticosteroids, cromolyn, digitalis, and diuretics, are individually discussed. The use of such respiratory therapy techniques as aerosol therapy, intermittent positive pressure breathing, and oxygen therapy are considered. Application of the specialty of rehabilitation medicine to patients with obstructive airway disease is described. This includes physical therapy with breathing retraining, clapping and postural drainage, and exercise reconditioning, occupational therapy with attention to energy conservation in activities of daily living, psychological considerations, and vocational rehabilitation. Definite benefits that can be demonstrated if the physician employs this type of systematic respiratory care program include a decrease in the frequency and duration of hospital admissions, socioeconomic gains from reduced hospitalizations, a reduction in anxiety, depression and somatic concern, the return of patients to positions of employment and the establishment of a better quality of life. Persistence in making sure the patient continues in a systematic program, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological modalities, may be the means of assuring maintenance or even improvement in his health. The day-to-day treatment for the majority of patients should remain in the hands of the primary physician. However, community resources must be established to allow the primary physician to provide these patients with adequate comprehensive respiratory care. Development of three levels of care (the primary physician, community respiratory rehabilitation units, and the regional respiratory center) should make superior respiratory care available to every patient with obstructive airway disease.

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