Asthma

Asthma is a very common chronic disease involving the respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and are lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses, such as those that cause the common cold and identifiable allergies. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. While measurement of airway function is possible for adults, most new cases are diagnosed in children who are unable to perform such tests. Diagnosis in children is based on a careful compilation and analysis of the patient's medical history and subsequent improvement with an inhaled bronchodilator medication.

This 2nd edition will provide clinicians with an update on the management of asthma, and will include new sections covering paediatric asthma, new treatment strategies, and updated management guidelines (including new British Thoracic Society [BTS] guidelines).

Dr John F. W. Baker graduated with MBBCh in 2009 from the University of Cardiff. Prior to this he graduated from Oxford University with a BA in English Language and Literature. He completed his 2 year foundation programme in Aberdeen and has recently come back to Wales where he is undertaking his core medical training.


Dr Currie graduated with MBChB in 1994 from the University of Glasgow, and was awarded a Diploma in Child Health in 1997 and MRCP (UK) in 1998. He subsequently spent 2 years in full time research which ended with the completion of an MD thesis entitled "Effects of pharmacotherapy on bronchial hyperresponsiveness and other surrogate inflammatory markers in asthmatic patients" which awarded by the University of Dundee in 2004. He has recently completed a diploma in post graduate medical education. He was appointed to the post of consultant in respiratory and general medicine at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and honorary senior lecturer with the University of Aberdeen in 2007. Dr Currie is the 2nd author on the British Thoracic Society Guidelines on respiratory aspects of fitness for diving.