Bronchospasm
Explanation | Causes | Signs l How to Prevent l How to Manage
What Is Bronchospasm?
Bronchospasm is a rare event. Generally it is a reversible tightening of the muscles in the airway, causing narrowing and blockage of the airway. If gone untreated, it can threaten the life of your child.
Back to Top
What Causes Bronchospasms?
An allergic reaction, cold / infection, exposure to smoke or fumes, dust, cold air or small objects that can enter the airway and cause irritation or swelling of the airway.
Back to Top
What Are the Signs of a Bronchospasm?
Here are the signs of a bronchospasm:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sweaty, clammy skin
- Restlessness
- Feeling of tightness in the chest
- Inability to catch their breath
- Fast, hard breathing seen as sinking in of the chest, neck, or ribs or head bobbing
- Flared nostrils
- Blue or pale gray color around the lips, nails and skin
- Your child does not wake to your touch or calling his or her name
Back to Top
How to Prevent Bronchospasm
Here are the steps to take to help prevent a bronchospasm:
- Avoid those items listed that can cause bronchospasm
- Talk with your doctor about your child's risk for bronchospasm, and if your child needs medications and treatments to prevent bronchospasm at home
- If your child is showing signs of early bronchospasm, call for help. Your doctor or life squad can get needed medications to help stop bronchospasm, or get your child to a hospital.
Back to Top
How to Manage a Bronchospasm
- Call 911
- Remain calm
- Help your child stay calm
- If you have an oxygen supply at home, give your child oxygen as directed
- Give medicines as prescribed by your doctor
- Gently suction the tracheotomy tube. If the tube is open, and suctioning seems to aggravate your child's breathing, stop.
- If the tracheotomy tube is plugged, and suctioning does not clear the plug, gently change the tracheotomy tube.
- Begin rescue breathing or CPR if needed
Back to Top
Rev 7/07
