Otolaryngologic clinics of North America
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Otolaryngol. Clin. North Am. · Apr 2014
ReviewThe essential role of the otolaryngologist in the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint and chronic oral, head, and facial pain disorders.
This article clarifies the current state of knowledge of chronic oral, head, and facial pain (COHFP) conditions with the inclusion of temporomandibular joint disorders as just one component of the variety of conditions that can cause head and facial pain. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis in a timely manner is extremely important because COHFP symptoms can be caused by a variety of pathologic conditions that can be inflammatory, degenerative, neurologic, neoplastic, or systemic in origin. The essential role of the specialty of otolaryngology in the diagnosis and management of patients with these complex COHFP conditions is emphasized.
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Bronchial thermoplasty is a relatively new therapy for the management of severe asthma. It involves the direct bronchoscopic application of thermal energy to airways by a catheter-directed expandable basket. ⋯ After therapy, an improvement in quality of life and decrease in asthma exacerbations can be expected. Adverse events can occur with bronchial thermoplasty and careful patient selection is critical to ensure benefits outweigh the potential risks.
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Therapy for asthma has undergone substantial changes in the past three decades, prompted by a better understanding of the role of inflammation in reversible airway disease. Improved therapies and a workable algorithm of therapy guidelines have provided an improved quality of life for the patient with asthma. This article outlines the most recent revisions of the stepwise guidelines provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
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Otolaryngol. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2014
ReviewShould vitamin D supplementation be a regular part of asthma care?
Vitamin D (vitD3) deficiency occurs frequently and has profound effects on health, especially asthma. This article examines how current knowledge of vitD3 actions and the worldwide distribution of vitD3 deficiency influences everyday clinical allergy practice. Within the limits of current knowledge, the article concisely explains the molecular nature of vitD3 actions, reviews key vitD3 research as it applies to clinical care, answers questions about the potential clinical impact of low vitD3 levels, and discusses use and safety of vitD3 supplements.