Bronchial asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in which the airways narrow. It is typically characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and variable airway obstruction. Two types of asthma are distinguished: allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma (intrinsic asthma). It is estimated that approximately 4 million children and 6 million adults in Germany are affected by asthma.
Since the symptoms of asthma – such as shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing – can also overlap with those of other lung diseases (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency), careful diagnosis is very important.
You can find more information about the definition, symptoms, risk factors, causes, frequency, course, diagnosis, treatment and living with asthma on the following websites:
Lung Information Service (Helmholtz Munich)
