Bronchodilators: Asthma, Purpose, Types & Uses Q&A

Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung conditions can be relieved by bronchodilators. You will quickly feel a relaxation of the muscles that tighten around your bronchi (airways). As your muscles relax, more air enters and leaves your lungs, making breathing more comfortable.

Mucus is also cleared from your lungs with the help of bronchodilators. Mucus moves more freely through your airways as your airways open, allowing you to cough mucus out easily. Inhalers and nebulizers (a battery-powered machine that creates fine sprays) are the most common types of bronchodilators.

Beta-2 agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline are the most commonly used bronchodilators.

Several beta-2 agonists are available only for COPD, although some are used for asthma as well. These medications are usually inhaled using a small handheld inhaler but may also be taken as tablets or syrups. Alternatively, they can be injected or nebulized for sudden, severe symptoms. A nebulizer produces a fine mist of liquid medication that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask, allowing a large dose to be inhaled. In order to dilate the airways, beta-2 agonists stimulate the beta-2 receptors in the muscles lining them, causing them to relax.

In medical terms, anticholinergics block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. There are a number of bodily functions that are affected by acetylcholine, which transmits signals between cells. Acetylcholine is blocked from causing involuntary muscle movements in the lungs, digestive tract, urinary tract, and other areas. It is possible to treat a variety of diseases with anticholinergics because they are able to affect a number of functions, including digestion, salivation, urination, and movement.

Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD (bronchitis, emphysema) can be treated with theophylline. For respiratory issues such as wheezing and shortness of breath, it must be used regularly. It opens up the airways by relaxing the muscles surrounding them, so you are able to breathe more easily. It also reduces irritant responses in the lungs. The medication does not work immediately and should not be used to relieve sudden breathing difficulties.

Beta-agonists are the most common bronchodilators. This medicine relaxes the muscles around the airways, allowing the airways to open during asthma attacks or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A beta-agonist can be administered orally or through an inhaler. The reason that they are called “agonists” is that they activate the beta-2 receptor on the muscles surrounding the airways.

Airways are opened when beta-2 receptors are activated, relaxing the muscles around them. Dyspnea (shortness of breath) can be relieved by dilation of the airways. In patients with acute shortness of breath, beta-2 agonists are particularly helpful due to their rapid onset of action. However, beta-agonists are often needed several times per day due to their short duration of action.

How long it will take for a bronchodilator to work will depend on the type, with short-acting bronchodilators serving to relieve symptoms with urgency and long-acting bronchodilators serving to control symptoms over the long-term.

Bronchodilators that are quick-acting, relievers, or rescue medications are called short-acting bronchodilators. Asthma symptoms are relieved quickly with these bronchodilators by opening your airways.

A rescue inhaler is the best treatment for sudden asthma symptoms. Inhaled bronchodilators start working within minutes of inhaling them and last two to four hours. The use of short-acting bronchodilators before exercise also prevents asthma induced by exercise.

A long-acting bronchodilator is used to control asthma, not to relieve it quickly. Inhaled steroids should be used with them to control asthma symptoms over the long term. The long-acting bronchodilator will be taken twice a day.

Bronchodilator medication can provide fast-acting and long-term relief from a variety of lung conditions. Let us help you breathe better and feel better today! Bronchodilator medication is available at Allergy & Asthma Center. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Lawrenceville, GA, Atlanta, GA, Conyers, GA, Suwanee GA, Duluth GA, Grayson GA, Decatur GA, Brookhaven GA, Lithonia GA and Covington GA.