Respiratory care clinics of North America
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Deaths from asthma are relatively uncommon but have continued to rise worldwide in the past few decades, despite a better understanding of the disease and an increased number of patient medications. This often is attributed to inadequate assessment and treatment of the disease. ⋯ Traditional and nontraditional therapies of acute asthma are discussed. Finally, complications of severe asthma and the long-term outcome are discussed, with appropriate preventive measures stressed strongly.