This comprehensive collection discusses anticholinergic agents, integrating the treatment of rhinitis, the common cold, and asthma in the upper and lower airways, while updating the latest therapeutic practices. Features assessments of soon-to-be-available medications! Written by expert allergists and pulmonologists as an exploration of the clinical application of antimuscarinics, Anticholinergic Agents in the Upper and Lower Airways explores the common triggers and pathogenesis of the upper and lower airways, including pathogenic mechanisms that cause allergies covers hyperresponsiveness and the M2 and M3 receptors considers the interactions of muscarinic receptors with other substances such as protein kinase C, cytokines, and growth factors that magnify the receptors' effects analyzes bronchodilators, bronchomotor tone, and reflex bronchospastic mechanisms assesses antimuscarinic drugs as treatment for acute asthma attacks reviews the use of anticholinergic agents to treat rhinorrhea and upper respiratory infections surveys data regarding the combination of beta agonists and antimuscarinics evaluates the future of tiotropium bromide as a bronchodilator focuses on the subspecialties of allergy and chest medicine examines new work regarding the interaction of viruses and the muscarinic receptor and more! Containing over 700 references to facilitate further study, Anticholinergic Agents in the Upper and Lower Airways is a thorough, multidisciplinary reference especially relevant to clinical immunologists and allergists, pulmonologists, physiologists, lung biologists, family and general practitioners, internists, pediatricians, and medical students in these disciplines.