Anyone who suffers from emphysema would want to find the best treatment possible, especially as this is a long-term lung disease. Emphysema is the chief form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD in which a patient finds it difficult to breathe. This is a permanent condition and the leading reason why people suffer from it is because of smoking. If you are among those who suffer from emphysema, you certainly want relief, particularly in breathing. One good treatment that will alleviate your breathing problems is Tiotropium Bromide.
How Tiotropium Bromide Functions
The effects of Tiotropium Bromide last for 24 hours. This type of anticholinergic bronchodilator medication that is popularly used to help patients manage their COPD condition including emphysema. The main use of Tiotropium Bromide is to control and prevent the known symptoms of COPD including shortness of breath and wheezing. Since this offers 24-hour relief, the muscles get to relax and breathing becomes normal or at least close to it.
Emphysema makes breathing more difficult for the patients and thus, this strains the muscles that are responsible for breathing. With the aid of Tiotropium Bromide, these muscles are put into relaxation mode, so that the airways open up. This results to more comfortable and easier breathing. When Tiotropium Bromide is used regularly, the effects of this medication become even more effective. Remember that this will not work right away and doctors as well as medical organizations agree that this should not be used to remedy sudden problems with breathing. The recommended dose is 18mcg once everyday for adults, which is equivalent to just one capsule being inhaled.
Tiotropium is the active ingredient found in the capsule. This will work directly with the lungs and therefore all patients must know how to use their inhalers properly. This way, the medication will reach the lungs to help make breathing easier. The chief function of Tiotropium is to block the receptors that are known as muscarinic receptors, muscles that surround the air passages. The body produces acetylcholine, a natural chemical that is found on the mentioned receptors. When there is acetylcholine, the person finds it difficult to breathe in and out. With the help of the active ingredient Tiotropium, acetylcholine is stopped in its tracks before the muscarinic receptors respond.
When Tiotropium Bromide is inhaled through an inhaler device, the medicine will go straight to the lungs where it should be. Once again, this is in capsule form, but should never be taken as such. When absorbed through the lungs, the medicine goes straight to the blood, allowing it to react accordingly, quickly, and more potently than when taken orally. This way, the patient gets the relief he or she needs.
Emphysema slowly damages your alveoli or the air sacs found in your lungs. It is a long-term disease that is under the COPD category, which is the third leading cause of fatalities in the United States. Although it is permanent, it can be managed with the help of Tiotropium Bromide.
