What are the symptoms of asthma/emphysema?

• A. Severe wheezing/coughing.
• B. Nosebleeds.
• C. Headache.
• D. Drowsiness.

Answer: (A)

Airflow obstruction in asthma and emphysema produces breathing-related symptoms, with the hallmark being wheezing and coughing as air moves through narrowed, inflamed airways and mucus builds up. This wheeze reflects the constricted passages, and the persistent cough comes from ongoing inflammation and mucus production characteristic of these conditions. Nosebleeds are unrelated to the lungs, so they don’t fit this pattern. Headache can occur for many reasons but isn’t a defining feature of asthma or emphysema. Drowsiness isn’t a typical presenting symptom unless oxygen is severely low or another issue is at play. So severe wheezing and coughing best capture the common symptoms of these airway diseases.