[Therapy of bronchial asthma]

Asthma stems from chronic inflammatory changes in the bronchial mucosa: its long-term treatment is mainly based on the antiinflammatory action of the employed substances. Topical (aerosol) treatment is considered as the most effective route of medication; availability of new substances and new aerosols in Austria requires a revision of previously established treatment strategies. Such revised strategies are presented for schoolchildren, babies and toddlers respectively; they follow the same principles, but differ in respect to the preferred method of topical medication. In addition, coexistent allergy has to be evaluated and treated on an individualized basis; occasionally, so-called "tertiary strategies" of asthma treatment are employed as well.