Which term is a chronic condition characterized by episodes of breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing?

Which term is a chronic condition characterized by episodes of breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing?

• A. Cystic fibrosis
• B. Asthma
• C. Influenza
• D. Mesothelioma

Answer: (B)

Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and highly responsive, so they can narrow temporarily and produce episodes of breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing. These episodes come and go and may be triggered by factors like allergens, exercise, cold air, or infections. A hallmark of asthma is that the obstruction is usually reversible, either on its own or with treatment such as a fast-acting inhaler, and long-term management focuses on reducing airway inflammation with controller medications and avoiding triggers. The other terms don’t fit this pattern: cystic fibrosis involves persistent thick mucus and infections rather than episodic wheezing; influenza is an acute viral illness with sudden fever and body aches rather than chronic, recurrent episodes; mesothelioma is a cancer that causes breathlessness but not the typical, reversible wheezing pattern seen in asthma.

Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and highly responsive, so they can narrow temporarily and produce episodes of breathing difficulty, coughing, and wheezing. These episodes come and go and may be triggered by factors like allergens, exercise, cold air, or infections. A hallmark of asthma is that the obstruction is usually reversible, either on its own or with treatment such as a fast-acting inhaler, and long-term management focuses on reducing airway inflammation with controller medications and avoiding triggers. The other terms don’t fit this pattern: cystic fibrosis involves persistent thick mucus and infections rather than episodic wheezing; influenza is an acute viral illness with sudden fever and body aches rather than chronic, recurrent episodes; mesothelioma is a cancer that causes breathlessness but not the typical, reversible wheezing pattern seen in asthma.