Final answer:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease featuring bronchospasm, airway inflammation, and excessive mucus production leading to symptoms like difficulty breathing and wheezing, which may improve with or without treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system in which airways periodically become inflamed, leading to bronchospasm. Bronchospasm is characterized by the constriction of bronchioles, which can impede airflow into the lungs. Furthermore, asthma involves excessive mucus secretion that contributes to airway blockage. The inflammation can be seen in swelling and narrowing of the airways, with cells of the immune system, like eosinophils and mononuclear cells, infiltrating the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles. For those with asthma, symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness can occur, and they may experience symptomatic relief either spontaneously or through treatment.