Laryngospasm and Bronchospasm
Alyssa Acosta
San Joaquin Valley College
Abstract
Laryngospasms and bronchospasms are both spasms that occur during within the upper respiratory tract (Frey & Ross, 2014). They can either occur in the operating room, during induction of anesthesia or can occur in a normal setting, triggered by things other than anesthesia. Depending on severity and setting, laryngospasms and bronchospasms can be either non life-threatening or life-threatening (Drugs.com, 2016). The treatments for them both involve interventions such as positive-pressure breathing and medications, such as steroids. Preventions only apply to the bronchospasms that occur in a normal setting outside of the operating room (Drugs.com, 2016).
Laryngospasm
A laryngospasm is a brief spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily make it difficult to talk or breathe. A laryngospasm usually comes on suddenly. Difficulty breathing can be alarming but it is not life-threatening (Rosenow, 2014). The vocal cords are located in the upper part of the airway called the larynx. A vocal cord spasm limits the flow of air through the larynx. Laryngospasms are reactions made by a lightly anesthetized patient (Frey & Ross, 2014).
Onset
The cause of laryngospasms can be triggered by a few factors. Some of the factors that …show more content…
If the positive-pressure breathing does not work, the patient will be given an ultra-rapid-acting neuromuscular blocker to relax the spasm (Frey & Ross, 2014). If the laryngospasm occurs in a normal setting, one may be referred to a speech-language pathologist to learn breathing exercises to help reduce the risks of laryngospasm. The relaxation and breathing techniques may relieve symptoms and lessen the frequency or severity of the laryngospasm in the future (Rosenow,
Alyssa Acosta
San Joaquin Valley College
Abstract
Laryngospasms and bronchospasms are both spasms that occur during within the upper respiratory tract (Frey & Ross, 2014). They can either occur in the operating room, during induction of anesthesia or can occur in a normal setting, triggered by things other than anesthesia. Depending on severity and setting, laryngospasms and bronchospasms can be either non life-threatening or life-threatening (Drugs.com, 2016). The treatments for them both involve interventions such as positive-pressure breathing and medications, such as steroids. Preventions only apply to the bronchospasms that occur in a normal setting outside of the operating room (Drugs.com, 2016).
Laryngospasm
A laryngospasm is a brief spasm of the vocal cords that temporarily make it difficult to talk or breathe. A laryngospasm usually comes on suddenly. Difficulty breathing can be alarming but it is not life-threatening (Rosenow, 2014). The vocal cords are located in the upper part of the airway called the larynx. A vocal cord spasm limits the flow of air through the larynx. Laryngospasms are reactions made by a lightly anesthetized patient (Frey & Ross, 2014).
Onset
The cause of laryngospasms can be triggered by a few factors. Some of the factors that …show more content…
If the positive-pressure breathing does not work, the patient will be given an ultra-rapid-acting neuromuscular blocker to relax the spasm (Frey & Ross, 2014). If the laryngospasm occurs in a normal setting, one may be referred to a speech-language pathologist to learn breathing exercises to help reduce the risks of laryngospasm. The relaxation and breathing techniques may relieve symptoms and lessen the frequency or severity of the laryngospasm in the future (Rosenow,