[Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of asthma: focusing on a chronic disease]

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. Its pathogenesis is still not fully understood and its progression is still not predictable. There are individual differences in frequency, severity and duration of symptoms and progression as well as in the response to therapy. The diagnosis is based on a detailed medical history and physical examination, on lung function tests and allergy tests. In recent years great improvements in medical treatment and patient care have been achieved. This article summarizes the pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of bronchial asthma.