Asthma pathophysiology is best described as which combination?

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Asthma is fundamentally an inflammatory disease of the airways. In response to triggers, inflammatory cells release mediators that cause swelling of the airway lining (edema), increased mucus production, and heightened sensitivity of the airway smooth muscle leading to bronchoconstriction. These changes narrow the airways and produce reversible airflow obstruction during attacks, with symptoms like wheeze, cough, and shortness of breath. This combination—inflammation with edema, bronchoconstriction, and mucus buildup—best fits the pathophysiology. Alveolar edema would indicate fluid in the air sacs, not a primary feature of asthma; infection can trigger symptoms but isn’t the defining mechanism; autoimmune destruction is not how asthma typically develops.