J45.84: Mixed forms of bronchial asthma, specified as partly controlled and severe

You have asthma.

The air is breathed in through the mouth or nose. From there the air goes into the trachea via the larynx. At the end of the windpipe are two bronchial tubes (or bronchi) branching away from it. The bronchial tubes run into the lungs. What is more, the bronchial tubes divide into even smaller branches. The larynx, the trachea, the bronchia and the lungs are part of the lower airways.

With asthma, the bronchial tubes are permanently inflamed. The bronchial tubes are also very sensitive. Certain triggers can make them narrow for a time. A number of things can cause asthma.

One possible cause is an allergy. But there are other things, too, that can favor the development of asthma. For example certain drugs, or breathing in tobacco smoke and other harmful substances may play a role.

An allergy plus other things are responsible for your asthma. With an allergy, the immune system overreacts to certain substances. Such substances may be harmless substances in the environment, drugs or certain chemicals, for example.

Typical symptoms of asthma are coughing and breathlessness. An asthma attack also results in increased breathlessness and tightness in the chest. Asthma symptoms can get worse if you have been infected by pathogens. This may be the case with a common cold, for example.

You have a severe asthmatic illness that is being treated long-term with medication. However, your asthma is being partly controlled by the medication. An asthma can be deemed to be partly controlled if, for example, you have problems more than twice a week and your everyday life or sleep are impaired.