<body><div><p>Bronchoconstriction describes constriction of the airways in the lungs. This occurs due to tightening of the smooth muscle in response to lung conditions, exercise, or irritants. It can lead to coughing, fatigue, and breathlessness.</p><p>The lungs are responsible for moving air into and out of the body, providing oxygen. Air moves into or out of the lungs along a pathway made of smooth muscle called the bronchus.</p><p>As air enters and leaves the lungs, irritants such as bacteria, viruses, pollutants, and allergens can cause the muscles of the bronchus to contract, reducing the space available for air. This is known as bronchoconstriction.</p><p>Conditions that cause the bronchus to narrow can be life threatening. However, medications called bronchodilators may help to widen the airways and restore regular breathing.</p><h2>Definition of bronchoconstriction</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4NESfJ_0wPgQcd600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4NESfJ_0wPgQcd600" width="1024" height="575" ><figcaption>Liubomyr Vorona/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Bronchoconstriction is the narrowing of the airways. Usually, the airway is wide enough to allow air to leave and enter. However, during bronchoconstriction, the airway may not be wide enough to support a healthy oxygen supply and airflow. This can make breathing difficult.</p><p>The bronchus </p><p>of smooth muscle and stretchy, flexible fibers that maintain the strength and structure of the airway wall. However, proteins released due to inflammation can instruct these fibers to narrow. The muscle then contracts, narrowing the airway.</p><p>Bronchoconstriction is usually reversible. It often results from lung conditions that cause high levels of inflammation, such as asthma.</p><h2>Causes of bronchoconstriction</h2><p>The exact cause of airway narrowing is not clear. However, several diseases can trigger it, and exercise can also be a trigger for both people with asthma and those without.</p><h2>Asthma and other lung diseases</h2><p>Several lung problems can lead to increased inflammation that causes bronchoconstriction. A person with asthma has constant inflammation in the airways. </p><p>However, exposure to irritants or allergens, such as dust mites, mold, cold air, second-hand cigarette smoke, exercise, stress and other strong emotions, may lead to an increased circulation of immune cells. This can further increase inflammation in the airways, resulting in bronchoconstriction.</p><p>Lung diseases, such as </p><p>chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)</p><p>, can also cause bronchoconstriction as a symptom. They affect the parasympathetic nervous system, which can trigger bronchoconstriction and increased mucus buildup in the airways. This part of the nervous system </p><p>while at rest.</p><h2>Intense exercise</h2><p>Bronchoconstriction during intense physical activity is known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). It is not a sign of low fitness; many world-class athletes live with EIB.</p><p>Evidence </p><p>that EIB is common in people with asthma, occurring in 4 to 9 out of every 10 people. However, it also occurs during physical activity for up to 2 in 10 people without asthma.</p><p>During exercise, people breathe harder, and their bodies lose moisture and heat from the airways when they rapidly breathe air drier than the air already in their bodies. This dehydrates the bronchial tubes, meaning they constrict and reduce airflow.</p><p>A range of triggers and irritants can lead to an episode of EIB, including:</p><ul><li>chlorine in swimming pools</li><li>air pollution during a run or cycle</li><li>dry, cool air in an ice rink while skating or playing ice hockey</li><li>increased air temperature during hot yoga</li></ul><p>Perfumes, cleaners, and paints in a gym, as well as new carpets or equipment, can also act as triggers. Sports with the closest links to EIB require nonstop activity and often take place in cold weather, including:</p><ul><li>long-distance running</li><li>ice skating</li><li>ice hockey</li><li>cross-country skiing</li><li>soccer</li><li>basketball</li></ul><h2>Symptoms of EIB</h2><p>In people who have asthma, exercise has close links to EIB. However, the symptoms of EIB may resemble asthma, even in those who experience bronchoconstriction during physical activity but do not have asthma. </p><p>These symptoms </p><p>: </p><ul><li>breathlessness</li><li>chest tightness</li><li>coughing</li><li>an upset stomach</li><li>low endurance</li><li>a sore throat</li></ul><p>The first symptom of EIB is often wheezing after intense physical activity. The symptoms start quickly after the beginning of an exercise session and may end 10 to 15 minutes after the workout.</p><h2>Treatment of bronchoconstriction</h2><p>Medications are available to treat long-term asthma and provide immediate relief after episodes of bronchoconstriction. These might include:</p><ul><li>daily long-term control medications to reduce the number of attacks and prevent symptoms</li><li>, also known as bronchodilators, to immediately stop bronchoconstriction</li><li>inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction long term after needing 2 to 4 weeks to take effect</li><li>long-acting beta-2 agonists, which people can take 30 to 60 minutes before exercise to prevent symptoms for 10 to 12 hours</li><li>a leukotriene receptor inhibitor called Montelukast, a daily medication that may help prevent exercise-related asthma symptoms</li></ul><p>Certain lifestyle measures can also help to reduce the risk of EIB and improve bronchus control, including:</p><ul><li>warming up for about 15 minutes before intense physical activity</li><li>covering the mouth and nose with a face mask or scarf when working out in cold weather</li><li>focusing on nose breathing during exercise, which can warm the air as it enters the lungs</li><li>reducing exposure to triggers</li><li>before exercising</li><li>following a low-salt diet</li><li>taking fish oil supplements</li></ul><p>Learn more about asthma symptoms and medications.</p><h2>Complications of bronchoconstriction</h2><p>In otherwise healthy people who experience EIB, the </p><p>may be a drop in exercise levels or an avoidance of physical activity altogether.</p><p>Asthma is a controllable condition, but severe, sudden, or frequent bronchoconstriction can occur if people do not treat or manage asthma attacks. This may lead to the following complications:</p><ul><li>ongoing fatigue</li><li>stress, depression, or anxiety</li><li>disruption at work, school, or leisure activities due to unplanned medical visits</li><li>lung infections</li><li>delayed puberty or growth in children</li><li>pneumonia, or lung infections</li><li>severe, life threatening asthma attacks</li></ul><p>People experiencing bronchoconstriction due to COPD may have a range of complications depending on the type. These might include:</p><ul><li>acute flareups of COPD symptoms</li><li>respiratory failure</li><li>high blood pressure around the lungs</li><li>unwanted or unexpected weight loss</li><li>bacterial lung infections</li><li>allergic reactions to steroid medications</li><li>cor pulmonale, an enlarged heart chamber called the right ventricle due to a lung condition</li></ul><p>Regular bronchoconstriction might also cause </p><p>. This is a process in which the pattern of the airways changes. It can lead to altered airflow through the airways, thicker airways, or a bronchus that produces more mucus.</p><h2>When to contact a doctor</h2><p>It is advisable to consult a doctor about wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, or coughing. Several conditions can cause these symptoms, and a medical professional can perform tests to rule them out.</p><p>EIB should improve in response to lifestyle changes around exercise. If it does not, a doctor specializing in allergies can discuss prescription medications for treating narrow airways during physical activity.</p><h2>Summary</h2><p>Bronchoconstriction is the narrowing of the airways in the lungs. It may occur during intense physical activity or when someone breathes in irritants or allergens. Bronchoconstriction can cause breathlessness, wheezing, fatigue, and coughing, as well as low endurance. People with these symptoms should consider contacting a doctor.</p><p>Conditions such as asthma or COPD can cause inflammation and swelling in the airways, reducing the amount of air that can pass through. However, people without asthma may experience exercise-induced bronchoconstriction if they breathe in too much dry air during endurance exercise, such as long-distance running or cross-country skiing.</p><p>Treatment can include short- and long-acting bronchodilators. These medications can either relieve or prevent bronchoconstriction. People may also benefit from covering their mouths with a mask or cloth during exercise and focusing on nose breathing.</p></div></body>

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What is bronchoconstriction?

Bronchoconstriction describes constriction of the airways in the lungs. This occurs due to tightening of the smooth muscle in response to lung conditions, exercise, or irritants. It can lead to coughing, fatigue, and breathlessness. The lungs are responsible for moving air into and out of the body, providing oxygen. Air...

What is bronchoconstriction?

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