National guidelines for the management of asthma in adults.

Asthma is now considered primarily an inflammatory disease in which bronchospasm occurs secondary to airway inflammation. Management strategies include the use of inhaled anti-inflammatory agents, notably inhaled corticosteroids and cromolyn. Mild intermittent asthma may be treated with inhaled bronchodilators. Moderate asthma should be treated with an inhaled anti-inflammatory agent in addition to an inhaled beta agonist. If symptoms persist, an oral bronchodilator (either a beta-adrenergic agonist or theophylline) should be added. Therapy for severe asthma includes combinations of the foregoing medications, with the possible addition of oral corticosteroids. Other aspects of management include the use of a spacer device with inhaler therapy, control of concomitant allergies and triggering factors such as chronic sinusitis, tobacco smoke and gastroesophageal reflux, and home use of a portable peak flow meter to monitor the disease.

Optimal resources for primary prevention of artherosclerotic diseases. Atherosclerosis Study Group.

This statement is an update of the 1970 Inter -Society Commission for Heart Disease Resources (ICHD) report, Primary Prevention of the Atherosclerotic Diseases. The charge to the Study Group was to assess relevant new data and, where the evidence is less than definitive, to formulate conclusions and recommendations based on best judgment. Current developments are reviewed, and issues raised in response to the earlier recommendations are considered. Recommendations are intended to serve as a guide for individual behavior, physician practice, and the formulation of public health policy.

Optimal resources for primary prevention of atherosclerotic diseases. Atherosclerosis Study Group.

This statement is an update of the 1970 Inter-Society Commission for Heart Disease Resources ( ICHD ) report, "Primary Prevention of the Atherosclerotic Diseases." The charge to the Study Group was to assess relevant new data and, where the evidence is less than definitive, to formulate conclusions and recommendations based on best judgment. Current developments are reviewed, and issues raised in response to the earlier recommendations are considered. Recommendations are intended to serve as a guide for individual behavior, physician practice, and the formulation of public health policy.

Elimination of oral food challenge reaction by injection of food extracts. A double-blind evaluation.

Twenty subjects underwent a double-blind evaluation by analyzing six variables to determine if subcutaneous injection of the food extract neutralizing dose would protect subjects from reactions. Twelve subjects had four of the six variables neutralized 60% of the time following the food antigen neutralizing dose. The placebo trials neutralized four of six variables 15% of the time. The sign/symptom results show statistical significance favoring food extract neutralization over placebo. The remaining eight subjects had at least two of the six variables neutralized by the food extract up to 85% of the time. It appears that the phenomenon of subcutaneous food neutralization can be scientifically endorsed for clinical use in the treatment of food reactions.