Covers: definition and diagnosis; the 4 components of asthma management; objective measures of lung function (spirometry, etc.); pharmacologic therapy (the medications; management of chronic asthma - asthma in adults, and in children; management of exacerbations of asthma (home management, and hospital-based emergency department management); management of exercise-induced asthma); environmental measures to control allergens and irritants; and patient education. Also includes pregnancy and asthma, older patients, etc. Extensive references.