What symptom indicates a more severe obstruction in asthma?

A poor pulmonary function, indicated by a reduced FEV1/FVC ratio, is a hallmark sign of more severe obstruction in asthma. This ratio provides a quantitative measure of airflow limitation and is crucial for assessing the severity of a patient’s condition. A lower FEV1/FVC ratio suggests significant airway obstruction, which is consistent with a more severe asthma episode. It reflects the extent to which inflammation and bronchoconstriction impact a patient's ability to exhale air. Thus, monitoring this parameter is vital for evaluating the severity and management of asthma, especially during exacerbations.

Excessive phlegm production, shortness of breath, and frequent coughs can be symptoms associated with asthma but do not specifically indicate the degree of obstruction. While they are important for understanding a patient's overall condition, they do not directly measure the severity of airflow limitation in the way that pulmonary function tests do.