[Bronchial asthma. Symptomless state can be achieved for most patients].

Although we still do not have a cure for bronchial asthma, it has lost much of its terrifying aspect for many sufferers. Thanks to a pathophysiologically rational and individually tailored stepped therapy, 90% of all asthmatics can now be rendered largely symptom-free for most of the time. Such an ambitious goal, however, can be achieved only after first making the greatest diagnostic efforts to identify as many of the triggering agents as possible. To this end, and to enable a rational application of the step-by-step treatment strategy, active cooperation on the part of a patient determined to master his/her problem is mandatory. We can provide him/her with the necessary knowledge and skills by offering appropriate asthma training.