Asthma Management for the Otolaryngologist

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that will frequently be encountered by otolaryngologists as they manage their patients with upper respiratory diseases. Symptoms such as cough should alert otolaryngologists to consider more broadly the potential role of asthma in the differential diagnosis. It is critical for otolaryngologists to appreciate that patients with allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis will often have asthma, and that many of them may not be diagnosed at the time of presentation. Appropriate diagnosis of the patient with asthma, as well as effective treatment for its symptoms, will improve patient function and enhance quality of life.