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How do bronchodilators help?

Bronchial muscle spasm, swelling of the bronchial mucosa, and increased viscosity of bronchial secretions can cause Bronchial Obstruction Syndrome, or, in other words, shortness of breath when exhaling (difficulty exhaling). This condition can develop due to a number of causes, sometimes unrelated, such as:

in case of allergic reactions of food or drug origin;
for infectious diseases accompanied by an allergic reaction to microorganism toxins;
when suddenly inhaling air that is too cold, causing spasm of the bronchial muscles;
due to physical exposure to dust when inhaled, which enters the lumen of the bronchi and causes irritation of the bronchial mucosa;
in case of physical overexertion, which causes sharp, full chest breaths;
and in many other cases.

In all cases of Bronchial Obstruction Syndrome, medications called "dilators" or "bronchodilators" are recommended. How do bronchodilators help? The dilating effect of this group of drugs means affecting the contractility of the bronchial smooth muscles and the secretory function of the bronchial mucosa, which allows for widening of the bronchial lumen and reduction of mucosal swelling.

The effect of bronchodilators is based on the effect on the bronchial muscles in such a way that the muscle fibers relax, and it becomes possible to exhale and inhale normally.

There are several types of bronchodilators:

Based on Adrenaline (adrenergic agonists) - they act on the beta-adrenergic receptors of muscle cells and mast cells of the connective tissue of the bronchial tree and inhibit the contractile activity of muscle fibers, preventing bronchospasm.
Based on Ephedrine, they affect the cells of nerve fibers, indirectly affecting adrenergic receptors and inhibiting the contractile activity of the muscle fibers of the bronchial tree.
Based on M-anticholinergics (including Atropine) - they block M-cholinergic receptors of the smooth muscle fibers of the bronchi and affect the secretory functions of the cells of the bronchial mucosa and mast cells, slowing down the secretion of the bronchial mucosa and preventing the release of biochemical substances beyond the membranes of mast cells that cause swelling of the mucosa.
Based on xanthines (adenosinolytics) - affect the adenosine receptors of the smooth muscle cells of the bronchi and synapses, inhibiting the contractility of the muscles of the bronchial tree in response to various types of irritants that cause bronchospasm.

Bronchodilators relieve asthma attacks, reduce shortness of breath, and promote expectoration (mucus secretion from the bronchi). However, these medications are prescribed individually by a doctor

Bronchodilators are available in several dosage forms - inhalation, injection and tablet form.

Bronchodilators can be used in combination with other medications that help relieve bronchospasm, reduce swelling of the bronchial mucosa and create conditions for expectoration (Mast cell membrane stabilizers, expectorants and other medications that help thin mucus).