Which condition is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways?

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, which leads to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. In asthma, this airway inflammation can result from various triggers, including allergens, exercise, respiratory infections, and environmental factors. The inflammation causes the airway walls to become swollen and produce excessive mucus, making it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

While pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, it is typically acute rather than chronic. Bronchitis involves cough and mucus production, and while chronic bronchitis includes long-term inflammation of the bronchi, it is primarily characterized by a persistent cough with sputum rather than the broader airway inflammation seen in asthma. Emphysema, a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), involves the destruction of the alveoli and airflow limitation rather than inflammation of the airways. Thus, asthma stands out as the condition specifically defined by chronic airway inflammation.