title: Assessing asthma in the otolaryngologist's office.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To familiarize otolaryngologists and other practitioners with basic diagnosis and treatment of asthma in adults and children based on current literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased fractional excretion of nitrous oxide and sputum eosinophils have been identified in asthmatic patients being evaluated for chronic cough and appear to be more sensitive in diagnosis than traditional spirometry. Both sublingual and subcutaneous immunotherapy modalities are effective in decreasing symptoms and medication use in patients with allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Undiagnosed comorbid asthma is prevalent among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis and control of all diseases processes greatly improves quality of life. Office spirometry is a helpful tool in the evaluation and management of asthma. Otolaryngologists should be able to recognize undiagnosed or poorly controlled asthma, initiate and improve medical therapy, and treat rhinosinusitis to improve asthma control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.forename: Melissa R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rotella
authors.forename: Leisa J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Stillman
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Wise
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D004804:Eosinophils; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D000072220:Otolaryngologists; D010824:Physicians' Offices; D011788:Quality of Life; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D009609:Nitrous Oxide