Definition: Tendency of the smooth muscle of the tracheobronchial tree to contract more intensely in response to a given stimulus than it does in the response seen in normal individuals. This condition is present in virtually all symptomatic patients with asthma. The most prominent manifestation of this smooth muscle contraction is a decrease in airway caliber that can be readily measured in the pulmonary function laboratory.
note category; if present in asthma, coord IM with ASTHMA /physiopathol (IM)
See AlsoAsthma
Other names Hyperreactivity, Bronchial; Hyperreactivities, Bronchial; Bronchial Hyperreactivities
