Definition: A propensity of the muscles around the airways of the lungs to contract in response to irritants and infections. This term is frequently used to describe wheezing in children that occurs with viral infections. The term often is another way of describing asthma.
Reactive Airways Disease
By Daniel More, MD, About.com
Updated: September 29, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
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