Defecation-induced bronchospasm

Acute asthma exacerbations are common. Patients with asthma experience symp toms in response to a wide variety of stimuli, and identifying the precipit ating cause may be useful in guiding treatment and preventing future attack s. A case of asthma exacerbation occurring during multiple defecations is r eported. Abnormal parasympathetic tone has been implicated in the pathogene sis of certain types of asthma, and defecation can be associated with incre ased parasympathetic tone, This patient's pattern of defecation-related ast hma exacerbations responded to prophylactic anticholinergic medication. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.