Preview
Asthma patients and their families are very familiar with the immediate allergic response. Less well recognized is the fact that a week or two after exposure to an allergen, a response is still going on, and exposure to a mild irritant, such as aerosol deodorant, can renew symptoms. Dr Rumbak explains the inflammatory component of this response and how it acts like “pouring gas on a fire” in a patient with chronic asthma. He also provides a stepwise treatment plan and guidelines for teaching patients the basics of self-help.