Main description:

Written by nurses for nurses, Asthma Care in the Community emphasizes the "back to basics" approach, which is often forgotten in a high technology healthcare system. The book covers epidemiology, including prevalence, morbidity, and mortality; the economic and social burden of asthma; the pathology and pathophysiology of asthma; managing patients with asthma, both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically; managing uncomplicated asthma, right through to the more complex issues surrounding acute episodes and "difficult to manage" situations.

Contents:

Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1: The Epidemiology of Asthma. 2: The Respiratory System. 3: Asthma The Disease. 4: The Presentation and Diagnosis of Asthma. 5: Drug Therapy in Asthma. 6: Inhaler Devices and Nebulisers. 7: The Management of Asthma. 8: Special Situations. 9: Deteriorating Asthma. 10: Other Therapies. 11: Structure of Care. 12: The Future. 13: The Role of Nurses in the Management of Asthma. Glossary. Useful Addresses. Index.