ABSTRACT
Beta-Agonists are a mainstay of asthma treatment. Short-acting beta-agonists are the most effective bronchodilators for rescue or quick relief of symptoms. Long-acting beta-agonists have a key role in long-term control when added to inhaled corticosteroid therapy, and are especially useful in the control of nocturnal asthma. Both types of beta-agonists may be used in the prophylaxis of exercise-induced asthma with long-acting beta-agonists providing more prolonged protection. beta-Agonists have minimal side effects and are safe when used appropriately.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic beta-Agonists/pharmacology , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/therapeutic use , Asthma/drug therapy , Adrenergic beta-Agonists/chemistry , HumansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Reading this article will remind the reader that some patients presenting with complaints of urticaria and angioedema may not have urticaria or angioedema at all, but may have other causes, often unusual, sometimes treatable. It will also increase the reader's ability to recognize masqueraders of angioedema, urticaria, and facial swelling thought to be angioedema. DATA SOURCES: Data for this article come mainly from the authors' personal experiences and selected references to illustrate points made in the article. STUDY SELECTION: The criteria used are patients and articles from the authors' experiences that illustrate the point of this article that patients presenting with urticaria and angioedema may have other diseases and some of these are treatable. RESULTS: The objectives will be met by patient presentations plus pertinent literature review. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients presenting as angioedema and urticaria have swelling and skin lesions attributable to other causes. Although they are uncommon, they are sometimes treatable. Not all patients referred to an allergist for angioedema have angioedema.
