Bronchoconstriction

What is bronchoconstriction?

Bronchoconstriction is narrowing of the large airways (bronchi) that lead to your lungs. It happens when the muscles in your airways tighten in response to triggers like allergens, cold air or exercise. Asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other respiratory diseases can make it more likely that you’ll have episodes of airway constriction.

Bronchoconstriction can feel like a chest tightness that makes it hard to catch your breath. You might hear wheezing or have an irritated, dry feeling that makes you cough.

Bronchoconstriction can be fatal if it prevents you from breathing. Call 911 or your local emergency service number, or get to the nearest emergency room if you’re having difficulty breathing, severe wheezing or swelling of your face, mouth, tongue or throat.

What are the symptoms of bronchoconstriction?

Symptoms of bronchoconstriction include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest tightness

What causes bronchoconstriction?

Tightening in the smooth (involuntary) muscles of your airways causes bronchoconstriction. This can happen during serious reactions, like anaphylaxis, or when the muscles react to certain triggers. Triggers of bronchoconstriction include:

• Allergens, like pollen or pet dander
• Exercise or exertion
• Chemicals, like pool chlorine
• Temperature changes
• Cold, dry air
• Smoking and secondhand smoke
• Upper respiratory infections
• Beta-blocker medications

Over time, inflammation or structural changes (airway remodeling) due to chronic respiratory conditions might also cause airway constriction.

What are the risk factors for bronchoconstriction?

Specific diseases make you more likely to have episodes of bronchoconstriction. These include:

• Asthma
• COPD, including emphysema
• Severe allergies

What are the complications of bronchoconstriction?

Severe bronchoconstriction can keep you from getting enough oxygen and lead to hypoxia and respiratory failure. Call 911 or your local emergency service number, or go to the nearest emergency room if you’re having difficulty breathing or having a severe asthma attack.

How is bronchoconstriction diagnosed?

In an emergency situation, healthcare providers diagnose bronchoconstriction based on your symptoms. To diagnose the underlying cause, they might recommend:

• Pulmonary function tests
• Imaging tests, like chest X-rays and CT scans

How is bronchoconstriction treated?

Treatment for bronchoconstriction depends on the cause. Your provider might prescribe medications to:

• Reduce inflammation and open your airways. These include corticosteroids or bronchodilators. You take these daily or as needed with an inhaler or nebulizer.
• Block chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. These include antihistamines and leukotriene modifiers.
• React to an asthma attack. You might need to carry a rescue inhaler with you for sudden asthma attacks.
• Treat an emergency. If you have allergies that put you at risk for anaphylaxis, you may need to carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®, Auvi-Q®) with you.

In an emergency where your airways are blocked and you can’t breathe, a provider may need to open your airways with:

• Intubation. Providers usually use mechanical ventilation (a ventilator) to breathe for you when you’re intubated.
• Tracheostomy (tracheotomy). This can be temporary or permanent. A tracheostomy creates an opening in your airways so you can breathe.

Can you prevent bronchoconstriction?

You can reduce your risk of bronchoconstriction by treating the cause and avoiding triggers. You may need to track your symptoms to help you figure out what might lead to flare-ups so you can avoid them as best you can.

What can I expect if I have bronchoconstriction?

If you have a respiratory condition that can cause bronchoconstriction, you’ll probably need to manage it regularly to avoid flares. Everyone’s experience with chronic respiratory conditions is different — you may have infrequent or easily managed episodes of bronchoconstriction. Or you might have severe flare-ups. Talk to your provider about your specific situation and how to manage it.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Talk to your provider if you feel like you’re having a lot of episodes of bronchoconstriction that are hard to manage. They might be able to adjust your treatment plan to avoid flare-ups.

When should I go to the ER?

Call 911 or your local emergency service number, or go to the nearest emergency room if you’re experiencing (or you see someone experiencing):

• Severe difficulty breathing
• An asthma attack that you can’t get under control
• Swelling of your throat, face, mouth, lips or tongue
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Bluish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis)
• Loss of consciousness

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

It might be helpful to ask your healthcare provider:

• What might be triggering bronchoconstriction?
• What should I do if I have a flare-up or an asthma attack?
• How can I avoid flare-ups or asthma attacks?