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Symptoms And Treatment Of Copd

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Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for COPD, but there are medications that are available to help the symptoms and make it easier for the person to breathe. Bronchodilators are a type of medication that will help open the airways to get better airflow. Short acting bronchodilators are used in emergency situations for rapid relief. Some short acting bronchodilators are Albuterol, levalbuterol (Xopenex), and Ipratropium (Atrovent). They can come in an inhaler or in a liquid that can be inhaled from a nebulizer. There are some side effects to the short acting bronchodilators including dry mouth, blurred vision, tremors, tachycardia, or a cough. Long acting bronchodilators help treat the symptoms of COPD over a longer period of time, so it may take longer to see results. Patients can use long acting bronchodilators once or twice a day depended on how bad the symptoms are, which also comes in inhalers or a liquid that can be put in a nebulizer. Some examples of the medication are Tiotropium (Spiriva), Salmeterol (Serevent, Formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist), Arformoterol (Brovana), Indacaterol (Arcapta), Aclidinium (Tudorza). (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2015). Over time these medications will help if the person takes them continually. Long acting Bronchodilators are not used as emergency or rescue medication. Some of the side effects of these medications are dry mouth, dizziness, tremors, runny nose, an irritated or scratchy throat, allergic reactions, blurred vision, and

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