Asthma

JungeChronic asthma is a long-term condition that causes attacks of symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness that often happen suddenly. It is often associated with an allergy. Without proper treatment, lung function and physical fitness can be impaired over time. With the help of certain medications, however, most people with asthma can keep their illness under control and live a largely symptom-free life.

As with other chronic illnesses, it is important to understand what you yourself can do and find out what kind of therapy is best suited to you.

Before starting any medical treatment, its potential benefits and drawbacks need to be considered. Depending on the severity of the asthma, various treatments and support options are possible. Asthma does not necessarily get worse over time, so people with mild asthma do not have to assume that they will one day have to cope with frequent and severe attacks.

Research into the best treatment options is ongoing. Talk to your doctor about what treatment options would be suitable for you.

Table of contents

  1. Background
    1. What is asthma?
    2. Healthy airways
    3. Narrow airways
    4. Asthma causes and triggers
  2. Asthma diagnosis and severity
    1. Signs and symptoms
    2. Diagnostic procedures and criteria
    3. Peak flow monitoring and asthma management plan
    4. Asthma and other lung diseases
    5. Classification of asthma severity
    6. Progression of asthma
  3. Asthma and self-management
    1. Learning about asthma
    2. Managing your asthma
    3. Disease management programs
  4. Treatment options
    1. Treatment with medication
    2. Complementary medicine
    3. Breathing exercises
  5. Living with asthma
    1. Kicking the smoking habit
    2. Physical exercise
    3. Worries and concerns
    4. Family and friends
    5. Triggers in the home environment
  6. Summary
  7. Sources

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  • Last update: September 01st 2011 13:49
  • Created (German version): January 11th 2008 17:56
  • History: Show list

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