Which condition is characterized by swelling and narrowing of air passages due to factors like pollution?

Asthma is characterized by the narrowing and swelling of the air passages, which can be triggered by various factors, including environmental pollutants. This condition results in difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness due to the inflammation of the airways. The bronchial tubes react to irritants by constricting, leading to increased mucus production and airway obstruction.

Unlike bronchitis, which involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes often due to infection, asthma is typically a chronic inflammatory disease that can be triggered by allergens or irritants in the environment, such as pollution. Allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, primarily affects the nasal passages and is related to allergic responses, while pneumonia involves inflammation of the lungs, typically due to infection, rather than the constriction of airways seen in asthma.

Understanding the specific characteristics associated with asthma helps highlight how external factors such as pollution can exacerbate the condition and affect breathing.