What stimulates excessive bronchial secretions in asthma?

The stimulation of excessive bronchial secretions in asthma is primarily associated with cholinergic stimulation. When the cholinergic system is activated, it leads to increased mucus production in the airways, contributing to the overall inflammation and narrowing characteristic of asthma. This occurs because the stimulation of certain receptors, such as muscarinic receptors, triggers the glands in the bronchial epithelium to secrete more mucus as part of the body's inflammatory response.

In contrast, increased airflow typically helps to clear secretions and may not be a direct stimulant for excessive production. Corticosteroid treatment, recognized for its role in reducing inflammation in asthma, would actually help decrease bronchial secretions rather than stimulate them. Physical activity might provoke asthma symptoms in some individuals, but it is not a direct stimulant for mucus secretion in the same way that cholinergic stimulation is. Understanding the role of the cholinergic system is crucial in grasping how mucus production is regulated in asthmatic patients.