Does the lining of the airways get swollen during an asthma attack?

The airway gets inflamed and secretions (fluid), are released into the airway ... During an asthma attack, the sides of the airways in your lungs swell and the ... factors are the edema, or swelling, of the lining of the airways, which can damage it.

Yes, the muscles surrounding the bronchi constrict (close up) and make it hard to breathe.