Final answer:
During an asthma attack, structural changes in the airways include inflammation and edema, bronchospasms causing narrowing of the airways, and increased mucus production, all of which contribute to airflow obstruction and breathing difficulties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Structural Changes in Asthmatic Patients
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that leads to significant structural changes within the airways of affected individuals. During an asthma attack, three primary changes occur:
- Inflammation and edema of the airway walls, causing thickening and swelling.
- Narrowing of the airways due to bronchospasms, which are contractions of the muscle layer in the bronchioles.
- Increase in mucus production, which can further block the airways.
These changes are exacerbated by the presence of immune cells like eosinophils and mononuclear cells infiltrating the bronchial wall, contributing to the overall obstruction and resistance to airflow. The result is difficulty breathing, wheezing, and compromised gas exchange due to the V/Q mismatch.