What happens to the lungs during an asthma attack
Much of what happens during an asthma attack affects the entire breathing
tubes from the trachea to the Bronchioles
The larger Breathing tubes become smaller in diameter due to their airways
becoming swollen and from increased mucus secretion
. Smaller airways become
smaller due to smooth muscle contraction and swelling, and mucus secretions.
Bronchioles may become so swollen and restricted that when a patient is
exhaling a whistling sound can be heard(expiratory wheezing). Worse is when
the wheezing occurs when the patient is inhaling or Some bronchioles may
become so swollen that during expiration they shut off any exhaled air from
escaping and something called air trapping occurs. After time this process
of swelling, muscle contraction and excessive mucus secretion reverses itself,
sometimes spontaneously, sometimes with medications.
Airway Remodeling - In some patients with severe asthma the repeated contraction and relaxation of the airways can cause the airways to become distorted. This is airway remodeling, and its cause is thought to be prolonged airway inflammation without treatment.
Why do lungs act the way they
do during an asthma attack?
Asthma Triggers
Sources -
- Human anatomy and Physiology published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Page 366.
- http://pedsccmwustl.edu/All-Net/english/pulmpage/asthma/asthma-2.htm
- AAE National ASthma Educator Certification Review Course Syllabus
Last Updated 11/30/2008 7:49:52 PM
