The Definition of Bronchospasms
Bronchospasm begins with a source of irritation entering the airway and inflaming the patient's lungs. As his lungs react, the muscles of his bronchi (the air tubes which go from the trachea to the lungs) go into spasm, his airways become swollen and inflamed and his lungs begin to produce excess mucous, which further closes his airways. He coughs in an effort to open his airways and get more air. He could be in bronchospasm from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma or emphysema.
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Brief Definition
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Bronchospasm is an abnormal narrowing of the smooth muscle of the bronchial airway. This airway shrinks significantly; the amount of oxygen getting to the lungs is reduced. As the patient tries to expel air, her lungs should return to their original shape, pushing carbon dioxide out. Since she is having difficulty breathing out, the carbon dioxide remains trapped in her lungs.
Related To
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Bronchospasm is related to emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and asthma. The patient can experience a bronchospasm as he is going about his daily life--at work, or relaxing at home. If he encounters a known allergen that causes his lungs to go into spasm, he needs to keep a rescue inhaler with him at all times; this is usually albuterol, which will quickly reverse a bronchospasm before it becomes too severe.
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Description
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The narrowing action of the muscle wall surrounding the bronchi is a temporary condition; it is caused by an inflammation of the lining of the lungs or a contraction of the muscles inside the lungs. Both reactions can occur at the same time. The person experiencing a bronchospasm cannot control the reaction of his lungs to outside irritants or stimuli; it is an automatic response of his autonomic nervous system. Allergic reactions could also cause the contraction of the bronchi walls.
Other Conditions
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The patient does not have to be suffering from asthma or related conditions to experience a bronchospasm. She could be suffering an allergic reaction due to exposure to a chemical substance, or she could be suffering anaphylactic shock, which is a severe reaction to an allergy-causing substance, such as peanuts.
Mechanics
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As the patient goes through the bronchospasm, the airways produce excessive sticky mucus, forming plugs in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Thus the ability to cough and expel the excessive mucus is reduced. Further, the bronchial mucosa become swollen and inflamed, causing even more breathing difficulty. As the bronchi constrict, swell up and become obstructed with mucus, the patient tries harder to force air in and out of her lungs, which requires straining and muscular effort.
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