This issue of Medical Clinics of North America provides the latest essential updates on COPD.? The following topics are covered: pathobiological mechanisms; genes and the disease (alpha-l-antitrypsin); the environment, phenotype, and comorbidity; the role and potential of imaging; pulmonary function and its importance; exercise in testing and therapy; patients' perception and quality of life; exacerbations, causes, prevention, and treatment; an integrated approach to the medical treatment; meducal pneumoplasty, surgical resection, or lung transplant; and smoking cessation and environmental hygiene.

The Second Edition of Asthma and COPD: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Management continues to provide a unique and authoritative comparison of asthma and COPD. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, it continues to be a comprehensive review of the most recent understanding of the basic mechanisms of both conditions, specifically comparing their etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments.
* Each chapter considers Asthma and COPD in side-by-side contrast and comparison not in isolation - in the context of mechanism, triggers, assessments, therapies, and clinical management
* Presents the latest and most comprehensive understandings of the mechanisms of inflammation in both Asthma and COPD
* Most extensive reference to primary literature on both Asthma and COPD in one source.
* Easy-to-read summaries of the latest advances alongside clear illustrations

Since the publication of the first edition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as a public health issue, has continually increased in line with the predictions of the World Health Organization - unfortunately, this trend is increasing, and by the year 2020 COPD will become one of the main killers of human life. With several important large scaled trials becoming available and our knowledge of COPD's determinants rapidly growing, it was essential to update Clinical Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with a second edition that will enable physicians to stay informed, aid in the clinical diagnosis, and the proper treatment of COPD Within this text expert analysis will examine -New treatments and combative strategies developed from recent and current clinical trails -The pathological and physiological mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -Current and up to date information from developing worlds faced with the COPD epidemic -The burden COPD has and will have in the future for patients, treatments and society