Which respiratory disease is characterized by coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to episodes of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms occur due to the bronchial tubes becoming overly sensitive to various triggers, such as allergens, exercise, cold air, or respiratory infections. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, and the lining of the airways becomes inflamed, which restricts airflow and leads to the hallmark symptoms associated with the disease.

The other options describe different respiratory conditions that have distinct features. Pneumonia is primarily an infection of the lungs that can lead to symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, but it is usually accompanied by other signs like chest pain and purulent sputum. Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can involve coughing and mucus production, but generally does not present with wheezing as the primary symptom as in asthma. Emphysema, a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also leads to shortness of breath but is primarily due to damage to the alveoli, and while it can include cough and wheezing, it is not defined by these symptoms in the same way that