The Centers for Disease Control describes asthma as a chronic condition that obstructs air passages within the lungs. Air passage inflammation creates sensitivity to smoke, pollen and other irritants. The Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. Although rare, specific side effects of anesthesia-related treatments can occur in asthma patients.
Coughing
Coughing results from the lung's need to clear irritants, mucus and fluid from the airways. Anesthesia medicines or inhalation tubes can irritate bronchioles inside the lungs, which can cause secretions to build up and coughing reflexes to increase. In addition, persistent coughing can cause lung irritation and worsen asthma attack symptoms. According to "Clinical Anesthesia" by Paul Barash, intravenous anesthesia, such as fentanyl, can induce coughing in patients with or without asthma.
Wheezing
According to MayoClinic.com, wheezing results when an asthma patient tries to exhale through narrowed and swollen airways. Many anesthetic medications require the use of breathing tubes to administer medication. This process can irritate air passages and cause air restriction, inflammation and wheezing. Anesthetic medications that contain muscle relaxants can cause histamine release, which results in additional inflammation and mucus formation within the lungs, explains Surgery Encyclopedia.
Lung Collapse
Atelectasis, a condition characterized by the collapse of parts of the lungs, can result from anesthesia used during surgery. As a result, many medical professionals cite this condition as an increased risk for asthma patients who receive anesthetic medication, according to "Clinical Anesthesia." Before administering anesthesia, physicians will evaluate and monitor a patient's condition throughout the procedure to minimize associated risks.
