Asthma bronchiale

Abstract

Because of its prevalence and its influence on quality of life and sequelae, asthma bronchiale has a huge impact on the daily routine of general practitioners, pediatrists and internal specialists. Within the last decade the treatment shifted from treating the acute asthma attacks to a long-term patient care aiming to prevent complications and permanent injury. Treating asthma differs substantially from treating chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), especially related to the use of inhalative steroids. As anti-inflammatory drugs form the basis of the therapy of asthma, they might be unnecessary or even harmful in COPD patients due to an increase in the pneumonia rate. Beta blockers - indicated e.g. because of arterial hypertension or heart failure - are contraindicated in asthma, but should not be withheld from the COPD patient. These diseases can be sufficiently differentiated based on historical information and clinical findings. Intensive training and attendance is a necessity in treating asthma patients to help them gain information on the disease, possible complications, as well as treatment side effects and to control themselves based on symptoms and peak-flow-measurement. A tight bond to the mentoring physician is the basis of therapy adherence. Drug therapy is based on anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator therapy, which has a long-term impact on the one hand and is supposed to improve the symptoms on the other. Leukotriene receptor antagonists as well as anti-IgE antibodies intrude special pathomechanisms of the disease and are able to influence targeted the inflammation of the mucosa.