Airway remodeling usually refers to the remodeling of bronchial structures when suffering from chronic airway inflammation, due to the recurrent injury-repair process of the bronchial wall, which subsequently leads to bronchial tissue hyperplasia and scar formation.
Airway remodeling mainly occurs in bronchial asthma is more common, due to the airway inflammatory cells released inflammation-promoting factors and growth factors, etc., can stimulate the airway epithelium constantly damage repair process, this recurrent cycle caused the airway smooth muscle hyperplasia, airway epithelial cells mucous chemotaxis, basement membrane thickening and other airway remodeling manifestations.
After airway remodeling, the inner diameter of the airway becomes smaller, and airflow through the remodeled airway is restricted, which is an irreversible change. The main consequences, in addition to the reduced or no response to the drugs that dilate the airway, are persistent hyperresponsiveness of the airway and reduced lung function; even the risk of death from asthma is increased.
The occurrence of airway remodeling requires prompt hospitalization to check the exact extent and treatment to avoid delays.