What does asthma result in regarding the airways?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized primarily by airway narrowing and inflammation. In asthma, the airways become hyper-responsive to various stimuli, leading to a series of changes including bronchoconstriction, which is the tightening of the muscles around the airways. This constriction results in a reduction in the diameter of the air passages, making it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs effectively.

Additionally, inflammation is a key aspect of asthma, where the airway linings become swollen and irritated, further contributing to decreased airflow. The inflammatory response can cause an increase in mucus production, which, coupled with airway narrowing, exacerbates breathing difficulties.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary pathophysiological processes in asthma. For instance, airway dilation would be inconsistent with asthma, as the condition involves constricted airways. While excessive mucus production can occur in asthma, it is a consequence of inflammation rather than the defining feature. Fluid accumulation leading to airway blockage and bacterial infections are not typical or direct results of asthma itself. Thus, the most accurate representation of asthma's effects on the airways is the combination of narrowing and inflammation.