CATEGORY

Allergic diseases affect nearly one-fourth of the population and cause or contribute to significant chronic illness. Allergic diseases are common and are seen by a wide variety of health care providers. In Clinical Allergy: Diagnosis and Management, the author provides a practical clinical overview for the common disorders encountered in the specialty of Allergy. Designed to be easily readable and to provide clinically applicable information for both the nonallergist and allergist, the intent is to unravel the mystery of allergy. The introductory chapters focus on the human immune response, environmental allergens, and the different types of allergy testing. The subsequent chapters focus on the common allergic conditions seen in the office or clinic, including rhinitis and rhinosinusitis, allergic eye disease, asthma, urticaria and angioedema, atopic and contact dermatitis, drug allergy, food allergy, anaphylaxis, and stinging insect allergy. "Cross-talk" between chapters helps show the interrelationships among the various allergic disorders. The chapters begin with a review of pathophysiologic mechanisms and then consider a clinically structured approach to diagnosis and management of the disorders. In addition to pharmacologic treatment, the importance of nonpharmacologic management and patient education is emphasized. At the end of each chapter, clinical vignettes highlight the daily management of the allergic patient. Clinical Allergy: Diagnosis and Management, provides a logical framework for the evaluation and management of allergic disorders in patients.