Word: bronchially
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...stimulates a number of chemicals, the most common of which is histamine. Histamine is responsible for a number of rather unsightly and uncomfortable responses in the body. It can act on to make breathing more difficult by stimulating the production of excess mucus in the bronchial tract, and also cause inflammation by enlarging blood vessels...
...home or away, threats lurk in the form of foods that produce allergic reactions ranging from nausea to death. Shellfish and nuts, especially peanuts, are among the most dangerous to the vulnerable, with the potential of causing anaphylactic shock, which is marked by sudden bronchial spasms, vomiting, plummeting blood pressure and heart arrhythmias. "Peanut allergy is a life-threatening disease," says Dr. John Oppenheimer of Denver's National Jewish Center. "The greatest nightmare for someone with a peanut allergy is dropping dead on a restaurant floor or at a potluck supper or a friend's dinner party...
...peanut oil, are ubiquitous in foods, showing up unrecognized in such items as chili, stews and meat patties. Canadian businessman Paul Motz has learned to be wary -- and prepared. With seven severe reactions already in his medical dossier, he always carries a vial of the hormone epinephrine (for relaxing bronchial muscles and jump-starting the heart). He also has a supply of cards to hand out to waiters, each bearing the warning "I have an acute allergy to peanuts. Any contact could kill me immediately. Please double-check your recipes." An appropriate tip, to be sure...
Acute attacks of asthma occur when the bronchial tubes of the lungs become partly blocked. For reasons that are not entirely clear, the lungs are overstimulated by viral infections, allergens or pollutants. The body responds by activating various defense cells from the immune system. Their mobilization causes the airways to swell. At the same time, the muscles surrounding the airways contract, cutting off airflow. When that happens, asthmatics must inhale an adrenaline-like substance to stop the muscle spasm and reopen their airways...
...attacks recur enough times, however, the lungs do not return to normal. They continue to act as if they are being invaded by parasites. This constant state of inflammatory alert damages the bronchial walls, creating scar tissue. As a result, the airways can no longer clear the mucus that forms deep in the lungs. The ensuing buildup reduces the flow of air and sets the stage for the next attack. "In olden times, which was only about five or 10 years ago, we all concentrated on the bronchospasm and assumed the patients were all right between episodes," says Dr. Peter...