Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They AreSymptomsCausesDiagnosisBronchospasm TreatmentCopingAlternative TherapiesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What They Are
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Bronchospasm Treatment
Coping
Alternative Therapies
Frequently Asked Questions
Bronchospasmsoccur when your airways constrict, or narrow, causing you to have difficulty breathing.Bronchospasm treatment usually starts with inhaled medications called bronchodilators.
Bronchospasms can have a number of different causes, but some of the most common are asthma, allergies, and environmental irritants.
This article discusses bronchospasm symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and alternative therapies.
What Are Bronchospasms?
Bronchospasms happen when the muscles in your airways tighten and narrow, resulting inwheezing, coughing, and other symptoms. Bronchospasms are part of why it can be hard to breathe when you’re having anasthma attackor an allergic reaction.
MechanismsIn order to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, your body uses three mechanisms:Ventilation:The mechanical act of breathing in and out, which brings oxygen into the lungs and carbon dioxide out of the lungs.Diffusion:The function of carbon dioxide and oxygen being exchanged at the alveoli (functional part of the lung exchange process) and pulmonary capillaries.Perfusion:Pumping the blood throughout your body with fresh oxygen.
Mechanisms
In order to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, your body uses three mechanisms:Ventilation:The mechanical act of breathing in and out, which brings oxygen into the lungs and carbon dioxide out of the lungs.Diffusion:The function of carbon dioxide and oxygen being exchanged at the alveoli (functional part of the lung exchange process) and pulmonary capillaries.Perfusion:Pumping the blood throughout your body with fresh oxygen.
In order to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, your body uses three mechanisms:
Bronchospasm interferes with these mechanisms, preventing your respiratory system from working properly.
Verywell / JR Bee
Symptoms of Bronchospasm
Experiencing symptoms of bronchospasm can be very stressful and frightening, as you will feel like you are not getting enough air. For this reason, you may need to seek emergency medical attention.
Common symptoms that may be associated with bronchospasms include:
An episode of bronchospasm may take between seven and 14 days to go away.
Fatigue and exhaustion are other less common and more subtle symptoms that may be associated with bronchospasm. Because these symptoms can be frightening, it is good to have a clear medical plan for prevention and treatment if you have any of these symptoms.
What Does a Bronchospasm Feel Like?Bronchospasm makes your chest feel tight. When you’re experiencing bronchospasm, it can be hard to catch your breath and you may feel like you’re not getting enough air.
What Does a Bronchospasm Feel Like?
Bronchospasm makes your chest feel tight. When you’re experiencing bronchospasm, it can be hard to catch your breath and you may feel like you’re not getting enough air.
What Causes Bronchospasm?
There are many potential causes of bronchospasm.Asthmais a major contributor and risk factor for developing bronchospasm. However, just because you have asthma does not mean that you will have bronchospasms.
Common CausesAllergic reactionto medications, food, or other substanceCommon coldEnvironmental irritants, such as aerosolized sprays, changes in weather, cigarette smoke, fumes, fragrances and odors, as well as stress or emotional imbalanceExerciseMedications used during surgerySeasonal allergies
Common Causes
Allergic reactionto medications, food, or other substanceCommon coldEnvironmental irritants, such as aerosolized sprays, changes in weather, cigarette smoke, fumes, fragrances and odors, as well as stress or emotional imbalanceExerciseMedications used during surgerySeasonal allergies
If you experience a bronchospasm during surgery, your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be properly trained to manage your airway. You may require additional monitoring during the post-operation period if you had a bronchospasm during your surgery.
What is Bronchoconstriction?
The wrist is a sensitive area so it may sting a little when blood is being drawn. Because the blood is being drawn from an artery (not a vein), there is high pressure in the artery and will require applying pressure with gauze and a dressing until the artery has time to heal.
If your healthcare provider is concerned about other causes of wheezing or shortness of breath, you may get an X-ray. Other, more extensive testing is typically not required during an acute episode of bronchospasm.
After the bronchospasm has passed, you may be referred to a pulmonologist for further evaluations including a CT scan, pulmonary function testing, or exercise testing to further identify the cause of your bronchospasms or symptoms.
Future episodes of bronchospasm may not require additional testing other than monitoring your oxygen levels to ensure your safety.
Treatment of bronchospasm usually starts with bronchodilators—inhaled medications that help open up your airways. The most commonly used bronchodilators are short-actingbeta2-agonists, such as Ventolin or Proventil (albuterol).
If you have high blood pressure and are on beta-blockers like Lopressor (metoprolol), or Inderal (propanolol), tell your healthcare provider. These medications can block some of the effects of albuterol. You should always carry arescue inhalerto help delay emergencies, giving you time to seek medical attention if you have a repeat episode of bronchospasm.
Does Albuterol help with bronchospasm?Albuterol is used for the treatment and prevention of acute and severe bronchospasm. It can also be used for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Does Albuterol help with bronchospasm?
Albuterol is used for the treatment and prevention of acute and severe bronchospasm. It can also be used for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
If you have underlying asthma, you may be given prednisone orally or methylprednisolone via IV if needed to help reduce inflammation involved in narrowing your airways. Your healthcare provider will likely recommend you gradually taper down the prednisone dosage over several days to help reduce the risk of a recurrence.
If you experiencehypoxiaand are unable to maintain your oxygen levels (even with supplemental oxygen) due to severe constriction of your airways, mask ventilation may be started. This may allow time for medications to take effect and avoidintubation. If intubation is needed, a breathing tube would be placed to protect your airway and maintain appropriate oxygen levels.
How Inhaled Corticosteroids Work as Treatment Options
Coping With Bronchospasm
Experiencing bronchospasm can be very scary. The number one way to cope with bronchospasms is to reduce their occurrence.
Working closely with your pulmonologist, and sometimes an otolaryngologist, you can develop a plan of care that reduces your risk of having repeat bronchospasms. If you have environmental risk factors, such as smoking, allergies, or fragrances that are shown to exacerbate bronchospasms, eliminating these substances around you will be key to reducing your risk.
If you experience bronchospasms due to asthma, having both long-term and short-term inhalers or nebulizers can help you avoid bronchospasm in the future.
Although some studies have shown breathing retraining techniques may improve quality of life, hyperventilation symptoms, and lung function, more research is needed.These methods are not a replacement for emergency medical evaluation. If you have severe symptoms, you should seek evaluation. No one breathing method is recognized in current international guidelines.
Buteyko TechniqueThe Buteyko breathing retraining exercise consists of the following steps:Several shallow breaths (through the nose) for 10 seconds.Exhale all air after the 10 seconds is up.Pinch your nose to prevent inhaling for 3 to 5 seconds (or until you feel the first feelings of being air hungry).Repeat for several minutes on a daily basis.
Buteyko Technique
The Buteyko breathing retraining exercise consists of the following steps:Several shallow breaths (through the nose) for 10 seconds.Exhale all air after the 10 seconds is up.Pinch your nose to prevent inhaling for 3 to 5 seconds (or until you feel the first feelings of being air hungry).Repeat for several minutes on a daily basis.
The Buteyko breathing retraining exercise consists of the following steps:
It is reported that using the Buteyko breathing retraining exercises can reduce the need for albuterol. Participants in these studies also reported an improvement in their quality of life in relation to asthma.There are several other techniques, such as the Papworth breathing technique and Pink City Lung Exerciser. However, these are not as well studied as the Buteyko method.
Many different herbs and oils are thought to have bronchodilatory effects. However, there is limited research showing the long-term effects of eating or inhaling these products. While there are many small studies that look at herbal and oil use for a variety of ailments, they are not sufficiently studied to make any recommendations.
You should not use herbs and/or oils as alternative therapy without consulting with your healthcare provider first.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsParadoxical bronchospasm is when a person’s airways constrict instead of relax after using a bronchodilator.This is a type of medication that relaxes muscles surrounding the airways to make breathing easier.It’s called “paradoxical” because the treatment worsens symptoms rather than relieving them.Bronchospasm and laryngospasm can both make it hard for you to speak or breathe. While bronchospasm happens when your airways narrow, laryngospasm happens when the muscles in your vocal cords contract. Laryngospasms are uncommon and usually only last for a minute or so.
Paradoxical bronchospasm is when a person’s airways constrict instead of relax after using a bronchodilator.This is a type of medication that relaxes muscles surrounding the airways to make breathing easier.It’s called “paradoxical” because the treatment worsens symptoms rather than relieving them.
Bronchospasm and laryngospasm can both make it hard for you to speak or breathe. While bronchospasm happens when your airways narrow, laryngospasm happens when the muscles in your vocal cords contract. Laryngospasms are uncommon and usually only last for a minute or so.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Bronchospasm defined.Fredberg JJ.Bronchospasm and its biophysical basis in airway smooth muscle.Respir Res. 2004;5:2. doi:10.1186/1465-9921-5-2Medical International Research.Identifying and managing symptoms of bronchospasm.Molis MA, Molis WE.Exercise-induced bronchospasm.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):311-7. doi:10.1177/1941738110373735Myatt R.Pulse oximetry: what the nurse needs to know.Nurs Stand. 2017;31(31):42-45. doi:10.7748/ns.2017.e9940Sood P, Paul G, Puri S.Interpretation of arterial blood gas.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2010;14(2):57-64. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.68215StatPearls.Albuterol.Eltzschig HK, Carmeliet P.Hypoxia and inflammation.N Engl J Med. 2011;364(7):656-65. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0910283Santino TA, Chaves GS, Freitas DA, Fregonezi GA, Mendonça KM.Breathing exercises for adults with asthma.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD001277. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4Mchugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F.Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention.N Z Med J.2003;116(1187):U710.Agarwal D, Gupta PP, Sood S.Assessment for efficacy of additional breathing exercises over improvement in health impairment due to asthma assessed using St. George’s respiratory questionnaire.Int J Yoga. 2017;10(3):145-151. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.213472Lai CH, Liao XM.Paradoxical bronchospasm: a rare adverse effect of fenoterol use.Respirol Case Rep. 2021;9(4):e00698. doi:10.1002/rcr2.698National Health Service (UK).Bronchodilators.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Bronchospasm defined.Fredberg JJ.Bronchospasm and its biophysical basis in airway smooth muscle.Respir Res. 2004;5:2. doi:10.1186/1465-9921-5-2Medical International Research.Identifying and managing symptoms of bronchospasm.Molis MA, Molis WE.Exercise-induced bronchospasm.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):311-7. doi:10.1177/1941738110373735Myatt R.Pulse oximetry: what the nurse needs to know.Nurs Stand. 2017;31(31):42-45. doi:10.7748/ns.2017.e9940Sood P, Paul G, Puri S.Interpretation of arterial blood gas.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2010;14(2):57-64. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.68215StatPearls.Albuterol.Eltzschig HK, Carmeliet P.Hypoxia and inflammation.N Engl J Med. 2011;364(7):656-65. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0910283Santino TA, Chaves GS, Freitas DA, Fregonezi GA, Mendonça KM.Breathing exercises for adults with asthma.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD001277. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4Mchugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F.Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention.N Z Med J.2003;116(1187):U710.Agarwal D, Gupta PP, Sood S.Assessment for efficacy of additional breathing exercises over improvement in health impairment due to asthma assessed using St. George’s respiratory questionnaire.Int J Yoga. 2017;10(3):145-151. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.213472Lai CH, Liao XM.Paradoxical bronchospasm: a rare adverse effect of fenoterol use.Respirol Case Rep. 2021;9(4):e00698. doi:10.1002/rcr2.698National Health Service (UK).Bronchodilators.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Bronchospasm defined.Fredberg JJ.Bronchospasm and its biophysical basis in airway smooth muscle.Respir Res. 2004;5:2. doi:10.1186/1465-9921-5-2Medical International Research.Identifying and managing symptoms of bronchospasm.Molis MA, Molis WE.Exercise-induced bronchospasm.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):311-7. doi:10.1177/1941738110373735Myatt R.Pulse oximetry: what the nurse needs to know.Nurs Stand. 2017;31(31):42-45. doi:10.7748/ns.2017.e9940Sood P, Paul G, Puri S.Interpretation of arterial blood gas.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2010;14(2):57-64. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.68215StatPearls.Albuterol.Eltzschig HK, Carmeliet P.Hypoxia and inflammation.N Engl J Med. 2011;364(7):656-65. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0910283Santino TA, Chaves GS, Freitas DA, Fregonezi GA, Mendonça KM.Breathing exercises for adults with asthma.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD001277. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4Mchugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F.Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention.N Z Med J.2003;116(1187):U710.Agarwal D, Gupta PP, Sood S.Assessment for efficacy of additional breathing exercises over improvement in health impairment due to asthma assessed using St. George’s respiratory questionnaire.Int J Yoga. 2017;10(3):145-151. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.213472Lai CH, Liao XM.Paradoxical bronchospasm: a rare adverse effect of fenoterol use.Respirol Case Rep. 2021;9(4):e00698. doi:10.1002/rcr2.698National Health Service (UK).Bronchodilators.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Bronchospasm defined.
Fredberg JJ.Bronchospasm and its biophysical basis in airway smooth muscle.Respir Res. 2004;5:2. doi:10.1186/1465-9921-5-2
Medical International Research.Identifying and managing symptoms of bronchospasm.
Molis MA, Molis WE.Exercise-induced bronchospasm.Sports Health. 2010;2(4):311-7. doi:10.1177/1941738110373735
Myatt R.Pulse oximetry: what the nurse needs to know.Nurs Stand. 2017;31(31):42-45. doi:10.7748/ns.2017.e9940
Sood P, Paul G, Puri S.Interpretation of arterial blood gas.Indian J Crit Care Med. 2010;14(2):57-64. doi:10.4103/0972-5229.68215
StatPearls.Albuterol.
Eltzschig HK, Carmeliet P.Hypoxia and inflammation.N Engl J Med. 2011;364(7):656-65. doi:10.1056/NEJMra0910283
Santino TA, Chaves GS, Freitas DA, Fregonezi GA, Mendonça KM.Breathing exercises for adults with asthma.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD001277. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4
Mchugh P, Aitcheson F, Duncan B, Houghton F.Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention.N Z Med J.2003;116(1187):U710.
Agarwal D, Gupta PP, Sood S.Assessment for efficacy of additional breathing exercises over improvement in health impairment due to asthma assessed using St. George’s respiratory questionnaire.Int J Yoga. 2017;10(3):145-151. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.213472
Lai CH, Liao XM.Paradoxical bronchospasm: a rare adverse effect of fenoterol use.Respirol Case Rep. 2021;9(4):e00698. doi:10.1002/rcr2.698
National Health Service (UK).Bronchodilators.
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