What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bronchospasm
Bronchospasm is a contraction of the airway and the bronchial muscle, which affects lungs and impedes normal breathing. Bronschospasm takes a great deal of effort for the sufferer to breathe. It's most common found in people suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis or those with anxiety issues. Symptoms may vary from one person to another and can be more severe or longer lasting in some cases. In this OneHowTo article we will explain what the signs and symptoms of bronchospasm are which will be of help in terms of early diagnosis so you can seek the help of a specialist as soon as possible.
Steps to follow:
When we suffer a contraction in the airways, this is accompanied by the secretion of large amounts of mucus in the bronchial glands. This then obstructs the flow of air during breathing, making it really hard to breathe. This excess mucus irritates the bronchi and can cause the first sign and symptom of a bronchospasm, a cough. This is a significant symptom which is often ignored and passed as something else, as coughing can be common of other milder diseases. Pay special attention if the cough occurs in children or infants with asthma.
Wheezing is another symptom of bronchospasm. This is most noticeable when the sufferer tries to breathe or speak.
Another symptom of bronchospasm is difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. This is because the bronchi are clogged and, as a result, more pressure is needed for air to pass through them. This feeling can often cause anxiety, which can lead to hyperventilation to compensate for the reduction in air breathed in.
Tightness and pain in the chest area and is another sign of bronchospasm. It feels as though the chest is being crushed and also leads to anxiety. This causes the symptoms to deteriorate, which, in turn, causes more panic, making it even more difficult to breathe. Chest pain increases when the person tries to breathe because the chest tries to expand to accommodate more air.
A person suffering from bronchospasm is more susceptible to infections in the airways, especially when accompanied by a lung condition such as asthma, COPD or chronic bronchitis. Therefore, another symptom is suffering from repeated infections in the airways. Besides this, factors such as pollution, aerosols or smoking can promote allergies and irritation in the patient.
Bronchospasm occurs in particular in people with chronic bronchitis, anxiety, asthma or COPD. However, it can also be brought about by very rigorous exercise. In this case, the person can sweat profusely and may sense that they are unable to breathe normally. In this situation, if you find that you lack air and begin to sweat, you should stop exercising.
The most effective treatment to relieve symptoms of bronchospasm are bronchodilator inhalers, which relax muscles and work very quickly. If you take this medication you'll notice a great relief within 10 minutes. The doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids, but these are very strong drugs that only a specialist can prescribe.
If you suspect you might suffer from bronchospasm visit your doctor as soon as possible.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bronchospasm, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
