Ace the CPFT Challenge 2026 – Breathe Easy with Pulmonary Success!

When a patient struggles to inhale or exhale, bronchospasm is a common underlying cause. Bronchospasm occurs when the muscles surrounding the airways tighten and constrict, leading to narrowed air passages. This constriction makes it difficult for air to flow in and out of the lungs, resulting in symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness.

Bronchospasm can occur in various respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or an allergic reaction. Management can involve bronchodilators, which relax the airway muscles and help open the breathing passages, thus improving airflow and easing the patient's breathing difficulties.

In contrast, while muscle fatigue can also affect breathing, it is less commonly the primary cause of acute difficulty in inhalation or exhalation compared to bronchospasm. Conditions like pneumonia and valve issues may lead to breathing difficulties, but they involve different pathophysiological mechanisms and are not as directly tied to the acute muscle constriction that characterizes bronchospasm.