Ventolin inhalers are standard blue inhalers or bronchodilators, used for treating people who suffer from reversible obstructive disease airway. Ventolin (albuterol) inhaler can also be used for treating exercise-induced bronchospasms.
What are Bronchospasms?
Bronchospasms are a temporary narrowing of the bronchi. This leads to a combination of the contraction of the muscles in the lungs and inflammation of the lung lining.
This contraction and relaxation of the lung muscles are generally controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The contraction is generally caused as a result of the release of chemical substances triggered by the allergic reaction.
One of the most common causes of bronchospasm is asthma. There could be other reasons that could make a person to suffer from bronchospasm:
- Respiratory infection;
- Chronic lung disease;
- Chronic bronchitis;
- Emphysema;
- Anaphylactic shock;
- Another kind of allergic chemical reaction
Doctors usually recommend albuterol inhalation to people who suffer from asthma or other conditions of breathlessness. In order to understand how Ventolin works to treat a person suffering from bronchospasm, it is important to understand how a bronchospasm affects the health condition of a person.
How Can Bronchospasm Affect the Health Condition?
- When a person is hit by bronchospasm, the bronchial muscle goes into a state of contraction. As a result, the diameter of the bronchus narrows down;
- Other additional chain problems arising from bronchospasm;
- In addition to this, the mucosa becomes inflamed and swollen that ultimately causes the bronchial diameter to get reduced;
- The bronchial glands excrete mucus in excessive amounts that is difficult for a person to cough out;
- Accumulation of excessive mucus results in the formation of plugs in the bronchus walls, which further obstructs the air from flowing;
- The excessive accumulation of the sticky mucus in the bronchi leads to the triggering of the coughing fits. This places the person in a highly irritating state.
Does Ventolin Help to Relieve Bronchospasm?
Ventolin inhalers relieve a person from bronchospasm by working to relax the muscles located in the airway tract. This allows the air to flow smoothly in and out more easily from the lungs.
As effective as they are, it must be noted that Ventolin from Canadian Health&Care Mall gives temporary reliefs only. That is why; patients must always make it a point to carry the inhaler along with them at all times. It is also necessary for patients to stay alert and get their medication refilled on time. That’s because bronchospasm can happen anytime. But just like any other medication, you must make sure that you are using the medication as has been recommended by doctors. There are instances where albuterol inhalation treatment might not turn out to be effective.
Who Cannot Use Ventolin Inhaler?
- If the person is using a short-acting sympathomimetic bronchodilator like Metaproterenol;
- If the person is allergic to any of the ingredient found in the aerosol like albuterol;
- If inhalation is not much effective in controlling the fits of an asthma attack
Make sure that you consult with the doctor first if you are suffering from any of the following health conditions:
- Diabetes;
- Heart rhythm disorder;
- Congestive heart failure, heart disease or high blood pressure;
- Overactive thyroid;
- Epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
- Unusual reaction to other sympathomimetic medicines like pseudoephedrine;
- Allergic to certain medications or food
Though it is not yet known as to whether inhalers can cause any harm to an unborn baby during the time of pregnancy, you can consult with the doctor. Inform the doctor whether you are planning to have a baby or already have become pregnant. It must also be noted that Ventolin HFA inhaler is strictly prohibited to children below the age group of four years old.
Also, do make sure that you inform the doctor about what other medications that you are taking. This is important because albuterol aerosol might react differently when it comes in close contact with other medications. Some of these include:
- Beta Blockers, which tend to decrease the overall effectiveness of Ventolin aerosols;
- Digoxin, the effectiveness of which gets decreased when it comes in contact with albuterol;
- Diuretics, which can cause the risk of an increase in blood pressure;
- Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors and Tricyclic antidepressants, because these can lead to the triggering of side-effects.