Bronchospasm

Bronchospasm or a bronchial spasm is a sudden tightening of the muscles in the walls of the bronchioles. It is caused by the release (degranulation) of substances from mast cells or basophils because of anaphylatoxins. It causes difficulty in breathing which can be very mild to severe. Bronchospasms can be caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis and anaphylaxis.

Bronchospasms are a serious potential complication of placing a breathing tube during general anesthesia. Some of the things that can cause bronchospasms are consuming certain foods, certain medicines, allergic responses to insects, pollen, or soft household furnishings and pets, and, particularly in women, hormone levels.^[1]

References

↑ Haggerty, Catherine L.; Ness, Roberta B.; Kelsey, Sheryl; Waterer, Grant W. (2003). "The impact of estrogen and progesterone on asthma". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 90 (3): 284–91, quiz 291-3, 347. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61794-2. PMID 12669890.

This short article about biology can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.

[Haggerty2003-1] Haggerty, Catherine L.; Ness, Roberta B.; Kelsey, Sheryl; Waterer, Grant W. (2003). "The impact of estrogen and progesterone on asthma". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 90 (3): 284–91, quiz 291-3, 347. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61794-2. PMID 12669890.

[1]