In bronchoconstriction, the smooth muscle pathways that move air in and out of your lungs constrict and narrow, limiting the amount of air into and out of your lungs. Treatment can help.
Bronchoconstriction is a condition in which the smooth muscles of the bronchus contracts. The bronchus is the pathway that moves air to and from your lungs. This muscle contraction causes the bronchus to narrow and restrict the amount of air passing into and out of your lungs.
Bronchoconstriction usually occurs in asthma, emphysema, and other lung diseases. However, bronchoconstriction can also happen to those without any lung disease during intense exercise.
The specific cause of bronchoconstriction isn’t known. However, some things are known triggers of bronchoconstriction as well as asthma. These triggers may include:
Another common trigger of bronchoconstriction is intense or strenuous exercise. When this condition happens to someone with asthma, it’s called exercise-induced asthma.
However, it can also sometimes occur in people who don’t have any type of lung disease. In this case, the bronchoconstriction only happens when these people are performing strenuous exercise. The condition is alleviated when the exercise is stopped. This is called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).
The triggers of EIB may include those listed above for bronchoconstriction in general. But the primary trigger of EIB is endurance activities. This type of activity includes long periods of deep breathing. Some examples are:
Athletes who exercise in cold weather are particularly prone to having EIB. For example, EIB has been found in about 50 percent of Olympic cross-country skiers. Although not clearly established, the change in temperature of the airway while breathing large amounts of cold air followed by the rewarming may be the cause. Dehydration from breathing dry air may also cause the release of inflammatory cells that cause swelling.
The following are some of the symptoms of bronchoconstriction:
The treatment plan for bronchoconstriction may depend on your specific triggers, the severity of your condition, as well as any other health conditions you may have. The following are some treatment options your doctor may recommend for you.
You may have to take certain medications regularly for management of ongoing symptoms. In some cases, you might only need them just before exercising or being exposed to a trigger. These medications may include:
There are also lifestyle changes that you can make that may help manage your condition. These lifestyle changes may include:
If left untreated, bronchoconstriction can become life-threatening. For this reason, it’s important to follow your doctor’s treatment and management plans.
Bronchoconstriction may also cause airway remodeling. Airway remodeling occurs when a condition like bronchoconstriction changes the pattern of your airways, thickens them, or increases the amount of mucus produced there. Airway remodeling is still being studied, so it’s causes aren’t clear. It’s suggested such changes may be from the mechanical force of your bronchi constricting damaging tissue cells during repeated episodes of bronchoconstriction or other lung conditions.
Additional complications of EIB may include the following:
Some conditions that are associated with bronchoconstriction include:
You should see a doctor any time you have any symptoms of bronchoconstriction. It’s important to get the correct diagnosis because the symptoms can be similar to those of other medical conditions. The correct diagnosis can ensure proper treatment and management to avoid an emergency.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should get immediate medical attention:
With proper treatment, bronchoconstriction can be well-managed. However, without proper treatment, it can become life-threatening. It’s important to see your doctor any time you have any symptoms of bronchoconstriction even if you don’t have a lung condition. All bronchoconstriction should be treated and managed properly.
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