Which condition is characterized by shortness of breath and wheezing due to bronchial constriction?

The condition characterized by shortness of breath and wheezing due to bronchial constriction is asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that leads to episodes of bronchoconstriction, resulting in difficulty breathing. During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, making it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This tightening, along with inflammation and increased mucus production, causes the classic symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath.

In contrast, pneumonia primarily involves the infection and inflammation of the lung tissue, leading to symptoms such as cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, but not specifically due to bronchial constriction. Bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes and can cause coughing and mucus production, but it's typically associated with a productive cough rather than identifiable wheezing resulting from constricted airways. Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where the alveoli (air sacs) are damaged, causing shortness of breath but not specifically due to bronchial constriction. Each of these conditions has distinct pathological mechanisms and symptom profiles, differentiating asthma as the correct answer in this context.