Asthma is associated with which of the following features?

Asthma is associated with which of the following features?

• A. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness with reversible airflow obstruction
• B. Fixed, non-reversible obstruction
• C. No airway inflammation
• D. Obstruction only occurs during sleep

Answer: (A)

Asthma is defined by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and variable, reversible airflow obstruction. When exposed to triggers such as allergens, cold air, or exercise, the airways tighten, swell, and produce mucus, leading to episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. This obstruction is not permanent—the airflow improves notably after using inhaled bronchodilators and with anti-inflammatory treatment, and lung function tests often show a meaningful increase in expiratory flow after bronchodilation. Inflammation of the airway is a central feature, with inflammatory cells contributing to the exaggerated response and recurrent symptoms. The other possibilities don’t fit: fixed obstruction resembles diseases like COPD, lack of airway inflammation contradicts the inflammatory nature of asthma, and obstruction limited to sleep isn’t characteristic even though symptoms can worsen at night.

Asthma is defined by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and variable, reversible airflow obstruction. When exposed to triggers such as allergens, cold air, or exercise, the airways tighten, swell, and produce mucus, leading to episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. This obstruction is not permanent—the airflow improves notably after using inhaled bronchodilators and with anti-inflammatory treatment, and lung function tests often show a meaningful increase in expiratory flow after bronchodilation. Inflammation of the airway is a central feature, with inflammatory cells contributing to the exaggerated response and recurrent symptoms. The other possibilities don’t fit: fixed obstruction resembles diseases like COPD, lack of airway inflammation contradicts the inflammatory nature of asthma, and obstruction limited to sleep isn’t characteristic even though symptoms can worsen at night.