Bronchospasm is only one symptom of an array of lung conditions. It takes place automatically in that the patient can't control the reaction of his or her bronchi other than to take inhaler medication. The classic symptoms include a tightness in the chest, wheezing and persistent coughing. The patient needs to listen to his systems and take immediate treatment action.
Bronchospasm Defined
Bronchospasm is the contraction of the smooth muscle surrounding the bronchi; this forces the airway to narrow and become obstructed. The patient experiencing a bronchospasm will have a cough and may also wheeze while she is in the middle of the bronchospasm. This happens most often with those who have bronchitis and/or asthma. The patient suffering from emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can also experience a bronchospasm.
Cough
As the airway is narrowing down, the patient experiences difficulty breathing. He or she coughs in order to force the airways to open. The patient may also have the urge to cough in order to get rid of mucous that is collecting in the airways during his bronchospasm. The mucous, which is sticky, makes it even more difficult for him to breathe. Frequent coughing is common as the patient tries to get the airways to reopen and breathe more comfortably.
Wheezing
"Wheezing" is a characteristic of asthma; it sounds like a high-pitched whistle made while the patient is trying to breathe in and out. The wheeze will be more audible on the exhale, but can sometimes be heard as she is inhaling. This sound most often develops in the small bronchial tubes far down in her chest. Again, the asthmatic patient is not the only one who can develop wheezing; those with COPD, bronchitis and emphysema can also wheeze when they are having trouble breathing.
Tightness in Chest
As the patient is in bronchospasm, the chest feels tight, as if someone were sitting on it. As he or she tries to breathe, it will be easier to inhale. Exhaling is much more difficult, as his bronchi are in spasm. When trying to breathe out, the air will escape from mouth even after exhalation.
Importance of Symptoms
It is very important for patients who suffer from asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or COPD to be aware of the symptoms of bronchospasm. This is the moment when she needs to use her rescue inhaler, usually albuterol. Bronchospasm is the body's way of announcing that irritants are interfering with breathing; whether those irritants are allergens, chemicals, sprays; whether sick with bronchitis or another condition, the system could be at risk of shutting down if it doesn't reverse the bronchospasm allow the airways to open.
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