Bronchodilator
Bronchodilators are a type of medication that widens the airways, making it easier for patients to breathe.
Bronchodilators relax the lung muscles and are prescribed for conditions that cause the airways to become narrow or inflamed. Bronchodilators, like inhalers, are prescribed to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
How do bronchodilators work?
Bronchodilators help to widen a patient’s airways when they become narrowed or inflamed, making it easier to breathe.
They work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, allowing more air to pass through. Some bronchodilators provide quick relief from asthma symptoms, while others are used for long-term management to prevent worsening symptoms. There are different types of bronchodilators. Aanticholinergics, often used to treat COPD, block nerve signals that tighten airways, while medications like theophylline reduce inflammation to improve airflow.
Some research suggests that certain medical cannabis products may have bronchodilatory effects, however this area requires further investigation before any sweeping statements can be made.
How are bronchodilators used?
For bronchodilators to be effective, they have to be administered correctly.
To administer a bronchodilator, first the inhaler must be shaken, then the medicine should be deeply inhaled. After the medicine is administered, patients should rinse out their mouth. Bronchodilators are not steroids, but they are often used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids for anti-inflammatory purposes, and it is especially important to rinse the mouth in these cases.
Do bronchodilators have side effects?
Like all pharmaceuticals, bronchodilators come with the risk of side effects. Some of the most common include an increased heart rate, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, headaches, dry eyes and an increase in nervous shaking.
Chronic use of bronchodilators, or using them for years on end, can cause the body to become particularly sensitive to respiratory triggers, and so it is important that these medications are only used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and they are used following clinical instructions.
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If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis in the UK, Releaf is here to help. In addition to this medical cannabis glossary, we have an extensive blog and education hub to explore, both filled with resources that UK medical cannabis patients, prescribers, and educators have been asking for.