bronkospasm
Bronchospasm, sometimes spelled bronkospasm in some languages, is a sudden tightening of the muscles around the airways in the lungs, causing narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles and reduced airflow. It is most often associated with asthma, but can occur in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic reactions, respiratory infections, drug reactions, and during intense exercise.
Pathophysiology involves contraction of airway smooth muscle, airway edema, and increased mucus production, driven by inflammatory
Symptoms typically include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and audible difficulty with expiration. On
Management depends on severity and underlying cause. Rapid-acting bronchodilators (short-acting beta-agonists such as albuterol) are first-line
Prognosis varies with the underlying condition and prompt treatment. Most episodes resolve with therapy, but recurrent