Which condition is defined by inflamed airways, mucus production, and reversible obstruction?

• A. Asthma
• B. Emphysema
• C. Pulmonary edema
• D. Acute bronchitis

Answer: (A)

Airway inflammation with reversible obstruction points to asthma. In asthma the airways are inflamed and hypersensitive, so triggers cause swelling, tightness of the surrounding smooth muscle, and increased mucus. This narrows the airways and produces symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. A hallmark is that this obstruction improves with bronchodilators or on its own, and long-term control relies on anti-inflammatory treatment—showing that the limitation is reversible rather than permanent.

Emphysema involves permanent destruction of the air sacs and irreversible airflow limitation, so bronchodilators don’t fully restore airflow. Pulmonary edema is fluid in the lungs from heart or vascular problems, not primarily an inflammatory airway disease with reversible obstruction. Acute bronchitis is a short-term bronchial inflammation often with cough and mucus, but it isn’t defined by chronic, reversible airway obstruction like asthma.