Asthma: diagnosis and management.

The prevalence of asthma is increasing in the United States, with an estimated 9 to 12 million persons affected. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Anti-inflammatory drugs constitute the mainstay of pharmacologic treatment. An especially important factor is patient education that encourages careful self-monitoring by using a peak flow meter. Environmental interventions are mandatory for all patients with asthma and may result in dramatic reductions in symptoms and medication use. Increased understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma has led to research in the development of "antimediator" agents, which may prove useful in the future.