Vanessa C
period 4
Bronchial Spasms
What are Bronchial Spasms?
A bronchial spasm is an abnormal constriction of the smooth muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. This causes an acute narrowing of the respiratory airways, therefore promoting a tightness or pain coming from one's chest.
There are two different types of bronchial spasms -- acute and paradoxical:
There are two different types of bronchial spasms -- acute and paradoxical:
- An acute bronchial spasm occurs when there is constriction in the muscle walls of the lungs and usually leads towards a formation of mucus. When mucus begins to develop it can irritate and block airways even further, making it difficult to breathe.
- A paradoxical bronchial spasm occurs when medication that one takes to treat bronchial spasms has an adverse affect and begins to aggravate the condition. An allergic reaction usually causes a paradoxical bronchial spasm.
What can cause someone to have bronchial spasms?
- People with asthma are at a higher risk of having bronchial spasms. They are usually known as an asthmatic episode to them.
- Most common causes are chronic respiratory diseases, allergies, and irritants.
- Allergens such as: dust, pollen, mold, and pet hair.
- Exercise
Symptoms:
- Heavily breathing during exercise
- Strong emotions
- Shortness of breathe
- Tightness or pain in the chest
- Some may have wheezing and a frequent cough
How to diagnose a patient with Bronchial spasms?
There are multiple ways in diagnosing a patient, the process usually consists of a chest x-ray, pulmonary function test, or a CT scan.
- Chest X-Ray: Checks signs of infection in the respiratory system or pneumonia.
- Pulmonary Function Test: Shows how your lungs are functioning. It measures the strength of your breath when you exhale.
- CT Scan: A form of an X-Ray machine and checks signs of infection.
How to treat Bronchial Spasms?
The most common way to treat bronchial spasms is by using a Ventolin HFA. A ventolin HFA is an albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol. Most people with a reversible obstructive airway disease use an albuterol. The most common reason people use an albuterol is to prevent a bronchial spasm attack during exercise or daily physical activities. An albuterol is used to allow for a person that suffers from bronchial spasm to exercise comfortably without feeling a tightness or pain in the chest.
For adults and children that suffer from chronic bronchial spasm and experience any of the symptoms while doing any physical activity the most common dosage is TWO inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. However, for those that suffer from the symptoms while only exercising and exercise excessively have the same amount of dosage of TWO inhalations. It should only be taken between 30-10 minutes before exercising.
The reason doctors prescribe a ventolin HFA, is for the medicine in an albuterol to open up your lung's airways and prevent tightness in the chest or wheezing.
For adults and children that suffer from chronic bronchial spasm and experience any of the symptoms while doing any physical activity the most common dosage is TWO inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. However, for those that suffer from the symptoms while only exercising and exercise excessively have the same amount of dosage of TWO inhalations. It should only be taken between 30-10 minutes before exercising.
The reason doctors prescribe a ventolin HFA, is for the medicine in an albuterol to open up your lung's airways and prevent tightness in the chest or wheezing.
Side Effects:
Common side effects include the following:
- Nervousness
- Shaking
- Headaches
- Mouth/Throat dryness or irritation
- Cough
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Irregular heart beat
Is their a difference between Bronchial Spasms and Asthma?
There is no major difference between Bronchial Spasms and Asthma. Bronchial spasms is known as a symptom to asthma, it can be present by itself or be triggered by inflammation in the lungs. Therefore, bronchial spasms can be treated by Bronchodilators also known as the ventolin HFA albuterol, while asthma has different types of inhalers that can be used depending on a person's condition. The symptoms and treatments may seem similar as well, however when tested for asthma one can come out negative but positive for bronchial spasms.
Foods that help open up the airways:
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Works Cited:
"Bronchospasm." Health Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Bronchospasm: Definition, Symptoms,Causes, and Treatment."NORMALBREATHING.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Foods for Asthma Symptoms Treatment - Asthma Diet - Asthma." Sharecare. UCLA Health, Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Types of Lung Function Tests." - NHLBI, NIH. N.p., 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"What Is a Bronchial Spasm?" WiseGEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Cunha, John P. "Side Effects of Ventolin HFA (Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol) Drug Center - RxList." RxList. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Chen, Craig. "Notes." : Pulmonary Function Tests. N.p., 8 Apr. 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Prendergast, Muireann. "Bronchial Spasms--Causes and Cures." Bronchial Spasms--Causes and Cures. N.p., 7 Nov. 2007. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Steven, Gary. "Any Difference between Asthma and Bronchospasm?" HealthTap. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Bronchospasm: Definition, Symptoms,Causes, and Treatment."NORMALBREATHING.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Foods for Asthma Symptoms Treatment - Asthma Diet - Asthma." Sharecare. UCLA Health, Oct. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"Types of Lung Function Tests." - NHLBI, NIH. N.p., 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
"What Is a Bronchial Spasm?" WiseGEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Cunha, John P. "Side Effects of Ventolin HFA (Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol) Drug Center - RxList." RxList. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Chen, Craig. "Notes." : Pulmonary Function Tests. N.p., 8 Apr. 2010. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Prendergast, Muireann. "Bronchial Spasms--Causes and Cures." Bronchial Spasms--Causes and Cures. N.p., 7 Nov. 2007. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.
Steven, Gary. "Any Difference between Asthma and Bronchospasm?" HealthTap. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.