What is "bronchoconstriction"?

What is "bronchoconstriction"?

William Berger (Allergist and Immunologist) gives expert video advice on: What is "asthma"?; Can people die from asthma?; What causes asthma? and more...

Bronchoconstriction is one of the characteristic features of asthma where we see tightening of the airways. And the reason bronchoconstriction occurs is because there are muscles, we refer to them as smooth muscles, that wrap around the airways. And when they tighten, it's kind of like squeezing a garden hose and you tighten it. As a result, less air can get through, kind of the way when you squeeze on a garden hose less water can get through. So, result, the sensation that you have is a tightening of your chest, a feeling of not being able to get air in and out. Bronchoconstriction can cause severe problems if it completely occludes or blocks the airway. It can mean that you're not getting oxygen at all and it can be a life threatening situation.