Asthma

Question 1

When does the airway obstruction in asthma?

Answer 1

In both expiration and inspiration but is more marked on expiration.

Question 2

What defines asthma?

Answer 2

Bronchoconstriction which is reversible and episodic defines asthma.

• Bronchoconstriction: the passages that conduct air from the trachea to the to the alveoli become narrowed; this inhibits normal airflow in and out of the lungs.
• episodic: between attacks, the patient has no symptoms and lung function is normal.
• reversible: the bronchoconstriction can be reversed by using appropriate treatment allowing normal airflow to return.