What is Bronchospasm?
[[Image:Asthma before-after-en.svg|thumb|right|470px|'''Inflamed airways and bronchoconstriction in asthma'''. Airways narrowed as a result of the inflammatory response cause wheezing.]] '''Bronchospasm''' or a bronchial spasm is a sudden tightening of the muscles in the walls of the [[bronchiole]]s. It is caused by the release ([[degranulation]]) of substances from [[mast cells]] or [[basophil]]s because of [[anaphylatoxin]]s. It causes [[Trouble breathing|difficulty in breathing]] which can be very mild to severe. Bronchospasms can be caused by [[asthma]], chronic [[bronchitis]] and [[anaphylaxis]]. Bronchospasms are a serious potential complication of placing a [[Tracheal tube|breathing tube]] during [[general anesthesia]]. Some of the things that can cause bronchospasms are consuming certain foods, certain medicines, allergic responses to insects, pollen, or soft household furnishings and pets, and, particularly in women, hormone levels.<ref name=Haggerty2003>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61794-2 |title=The impact of estrogen and progesterone on asthma |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_annals-of-allergy-asthma-and-immunology_2003-03_90_3/page/284 |year=2003 |last1=Haggerty |first1=Catherine L. |last2=Ness |first2=Roberta B. |last3=Kelsey |first3=Sheryl |last4=Waterer |first4=Grant W. |journal=Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology |volume=90 |issue=3 |pages=284-91; quiz 291-3, 347|pmid=12669890 }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Breathing problems]] {{biology-stub}}