How Do Inhalers Work?

And how safe are they?

Take a deep breath…

First, understand how asthma affects your lungs: air normally travels through your bronchi into the tiny air sacs (alveoli), where oxygen enters your bloodstream. In asthma, airway muscles tighten, the airway lining becomes inflamed, and excess mucus narrows the airways, making it especially difficult to breathe out.

With this in mind, inhalers are primarily used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The two main kinds of inhaler are:

• Preventative inhalers (used daily to control symptoms prophylactically)
• Rescue inhalers (used for rapid relief during breathing attacks)

They each work in slightly different ways:

• How preventative inhalers work: preventative inhalers are taken every day to reduce symptoms before they begin. They usually combine corticosteroids, which reduce airway inflammation, with long-acting bronchodilators, which, you guessed it, dilate the bronchi and bronchioles. Some COPD bronchodilators are chemically related to compounds found in thorn apple, and work by blocking nerve signals that tighten airway muscles and stimulate mucus production.
• How rescue inhalers work: rescue inhalers contain short-acting bronchodilators that quickly relax the airway muscles, opening the airways and improving breathing for about four hours. They are effective for both asthma and COPD attacks, but frequent reliance on them instead of preventative treatment can be harmful.

For more on all of this, enjoy:

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Want to learn more?

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Why Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Is More Likely Than You Think

Take care!