McCombs R P, Lowell F C, Ohman J L
JAMA. 1979 Oct 5;242(14):1521-4.
Persistence of outmoded concepts or "myths" concerning the diagnosis and treatment of asthma probably is responsible for large economic losses, overutilization of hospital beds, and many preventable deaths. There have been many worthwhile studies refuting these myths, leading to the following conclusions: Asthma consists of much more than wheezing and in many cases must be treated long after wheezing stops. There is no convincing evidence relating the chronic pulmonary changes of asthma to the psyche. Modern methods of prescribing theophylline have not made it universally effective and safe. Intermittent postive-pressure breathing is rarely justified in asthma. Respiratory acidosis may be corrected only by improving alveolar ventilation. Corticosteroids are usually essential for control of severe asthma and may be used safely. Severe asthmatics need careful monitoring because sudden respiratory failure may occur.
有关哮喘诊断和治疗的过时观念或“误区”持续存在，可能导致了巨大的经济损失、医院床位的过度使用以及许多可预防的死亡。已经有许多有价值的研究驳斥了这些误区，得出了以下结论：哮喘不仅仅是喘息，在许多情况下，喘息停止后仍必须长期治疗。没有令人信服的证据表明哮喘的慢性肺部改变与心理因素有关。现代的茶碱给药方法并没有使其普遍有效和安全。间歇性正压通气在哮喘中很少有合理依据。呼吸性酸中毒只能通过改善肺泡通气来纠正。皮质类固醇通常是控制重度哮喘所必需的，并且可以安全使用。重度哮喘患者需要仔细监测，因为可能会突然发生呼吸衰竭。
