What is Bronchospasm in Children
Bronchospasm is a tightening of the airways going into the lungs. During an episode, it may be harder for your child to breathe. Your child may cough and make a whistling sound when breathing (wheeze).
This condition often affects people with asthma.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by swelling and irritation in the airways. It can be triggered by:
- An infection (common).
- Seasonal allergies.
- An allergic reaction.
- Exercise.
- Irritants. These include pollution, cigarette smoke, strong odors, aerosol sprays, and paint fumes.
- Weather changes. Winds increase molds and pollens in the air. Cold air may cause swelling.
- Stress and emotional upset.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Wheezing. If the episode was triggered by an allergy, wheezing may start right away or hours later.
- Nighttime coughing.
- Frequent or severe coughing with a simple cold.
- Chest tightness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Decreased ability to be active or to exercise.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed with:
- A review of your child’s medical history.
- A physical exam.
- Lung function studies. These may be done if your child’s health care provider cannot detect wheezing with a stethoscope.
- A chest X-ray. The need for an X-ray depends on where the wheezing occurs and whether it is the first time your child has wheezed.
How is this treated?
This condition may be treated by:
- Giving your child inhaled medicines. These open up the airways and help your child breathe. They can be taken with an inhaler or a nebulizer device.
- Giving your child corticosteroid medicines. These may be given for severe bronchospasm, usually when it is associated with asthma.
- Having your child avoid triggers, such as irritants, infection, or allergies.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
- If your child needs to use an inhaler or nebulizer to take her or his medicine, ask a health care provider to explain how to use it correctly. If your child was given a spacer, have your child always use it with the inhaler.
Lifestyle
- Reduce
the number of triggers in your home. To do this:
- Change your heating and air conditioning filter at least once a month.
- Limit your use of fireplaces and wood stoves.
- Do notsmoke. Do notallow smoking in your home.
- If
you smoke:
- Smoke outside and away from your child.
- Change your clothes after smoking.
- Do notsmoke in a car when your child is a passenger.
- Get rid of pests, such as roaches and mice, and their droppings.
- Avoid using perfumes and fragrances.
- Remove any mold from your home.
- Clean your floors and dust every week. Use unscented cleaning products. Vacuum when your child is not home. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter if possible.
- Use allergy-proof pillows, mattress covers, and box spring covers.
- Wash bed sheets and blankets every week in hot water. Dry them in a dryer.
- Use blankets that are made of polyester or cotton.
- Limit stuffed animals to 1 or 2. Wash them monthly with hot water, and dry them in a dryer.
- Clean bathrooms and kitchens with bleach. Paint the walls in these rooms with mold-resistant paint. Keep your child out of the rooms you are cleaning and painting.
- Do notallow pets access to your child’s bedroom.
- If your child is active outdoor during cold weather, cover your child’s mouth and nose.
General instructions
- Have your child wash her or his hands often.
- Have a plan for seeking medical care. Know when to call your child’s health care provider and local emergency services, and where to get emergency care.
- When your child has an episode of bronchospasm, help your child stay calm. Encourage your child to relax and breathe more slowly.
- If your child has asthma, make sure she or he has an asthma action plan.
- Make sure your child receives scheduled immunizations.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child is wheezing or has shortness of breath after being given medicines to prevent bronchospasm.
- Your child has chest pain.
- The mucus that your child coughs up (sputum) gets thicker.
- Your child’s sputum changes from clear or white to yellow, green, gray, or bloody.
- Your child has a fever.
Get help right away if:
- Your child’s usual medicines do not stop his or her wheezing.
- Your child’s coughing becomes constant.
- Your child develops severe chest pain.
- Your child has difficulty breathing or cannot complete a short sentence.
- Your child’s skin indents when he or she breathes in.
- There is a bluish color to your child’s lips or fingernails.
- Your child has difficulty eating, drinking, or talking.
- Your child acts frightened and you are not able to calm him or her down.
- Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
Summary
- A bronchospasm is a tightening of the airways going into the lungs.
- During an episode of bronchospasm, it may be harder for your child to breathe. Your child may cough and make a whistling sound when breathing (wheeze).
- Avoid exposure to triggers such as smoke, dust, mold, animal dander, and fragrances.
- When your child has an episode of bronchospasm, help your child stay calm. Help your child try to relax and breathe more slowly
