Which condition is characterized by the narrowing of the airways?

The condition characterized by the narrowing of the airways is asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that leads to the inflammation and constriction of the airways, causing symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. This narrowing can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, exercise, and environmental irritants.

In asthma, the air passages become hypersensitive, and when exposed to certain triggers, the muscles around the airways tighten, making it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This is distinct from other respiratory conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema, which may involve inflammation or damage in different ways but do not primarily focus on the reversible tightening of the airways as seen in asthma.