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Post by LindaNY on Jul 21, 2007 11:27:01 GMT -5
Have you have done something too fast such as climbing stairs , etc. and have one of those ugly episodes where you are almost gasping for air? Read all about it. Bronchospasm is a temporary narrowing of the bronchi (airways into the lungs) caused by contraction of the muscles in the lung walls, by inflammation of the lung lining, or by a combination of both. This contraction and relaxation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Contraction may also be caused by the release of substances during an allergic reaction. The most common cause of bronchospasm is asthma, though other causes include respiratory infection, chronic lung disease (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), anaphylactic shock, or an allergic reaction to chemicals. The bronchial muscle goes into a state of tight contraction (bronchospasm), which narrows the diameter of the bronchus. The mucosa becomes swollen and inflamed which further reduces the bronchial diameter. In addition, bronchial glands produce excessive amounts of very sticky mucus which is difficult to cough out and which may form plugs in the bronchus, further obstructing the flow of air. When bronchi become obstructed, greater pressures are needed to push air through them in order to meet the body's requirement for oxygen. This requires greatly increased muscular effort. Breathing during bronchospasm requires more effort than normal breathing. The excessive amounts of sticky mucus caught in the bronchi are highly irritating, and often trigger coughing. Continued.... Click link www.healthscout.com/ency/416/591/main.html |
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