Bronchodilators in asthma: Bypassing controversies

Bronchodilators and corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma.

Despite advancements in treatment, the incidence of asthma, asthma-related deaths and hospitalizations for asthma have increased significantly during the past decade. Although asthma mortality may now be decreasing, reasons for the worsening of morbidity and mortality in asthma remain unclear. These unexpected changes in asthma severity have sparked renewed interest in research into the pathoge...

A comparison of the actions of different bronchodilators in asthma.

Controversies in epidemiology of occupational asthma.

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, determinants and outcome of disease. In this article, the recently acquired knowledge of the epidemiology of occupational asthma is described, as well as current areas of controversy. Incidence figures obtained from field studies in high-risk workplaces, medicolegal statistics and sentinel programmes indicate that approximately 10% of adult-onset a...

Can We Find Better Bronchodilators to Relieve Asthma Symptoms?

Bronchodilators are the first line therapy during acute asthmatic exacerbations to reverse airway obstruction primarily by relaxing airway smooth muscle. Only three categories of bronchodilators exist in clinical practice: β-adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, and methylxanthines. Each of these categories have specific drugs dating back to the early 20th century, raising the question of whet...

[Controversies in the pharmacological management of acute asthma in children].

OBJECTIVE To present a review of controversial issues related to the pharmacological management of the treatment of acute asthma in children. SOURCES Articles published in national and international scientific journals. Data were selected from Lilacs and Medline databases. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS The article was organized into topics, presenting aspects on which there is consensus regarding...