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Difficulty in breathing caused by a sudden constriction of the muscles in
the wall of the bronchi. A feature of asthma, chronic bronchitis and
anaphylaxis. The overactivity of the bronchus muscle is as a result of
exposure to a stimulus (trigger) which under normal circumstances would cause
little or no response. The resulting constriction and inflammation causes a
narrowing of the airways and an increase in mucous production this reduces the
amount of oxygen that is available to the individual causing breathlessness,
coughing and cyanosis.
--Tam 14:01, 10 May 2004 (UTC)
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