You may hear claims about the potential health benefits of alternative medicines, like herbal and vitamin supplements, or homeopathic medicines. Many people think “natural” remedies sold in “health food stores” are risk-free. But that’s not always the case. Download Alternative Medicines and Alpha-1 as a PDF. Unlike prescription drugs, “complementary” or “alternative” medicines aren’t reviewed…
Theophylline and roflumilast are PDE inhibitors. That means they belong to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor family. Medicines like these have been used as bronchodilators for over 100 years. (Bronchodilators help you breathe better by opening up your airways. Using them makes it easier to get air in and out of your lungs. That can help you…
When it comes to influenza (or the flu), it’s better to prevent it than to treat it. You can do your best to avoid the flu by getting an annual flu shot (influenza vaccine). But, flu shots don’t eliminate your risk entirely, because vaccines don’t cover every strain of the flu. Download Influenza Treatments as…
Don’t confuse the oral corticosteroids (OCS) you take for lung disease with the anabolic steroids that some athletes use to increase muscle mass. Corticosteroids are the strongest medicines you can take to treat severe obstructive lung disease and many other conditions that cause inflammation. Download Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) as a PDF. OCS are similar to hormones produced…
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) decrease inflammation and flare-ups and are effective in treating COPD and asthma-like symptoms. Corticosteroids taken orally or given by injection can be life-saving. But, they can also produce serious side effects. Download Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) as a PDF. To reduce these side effects, researchers developed new forms of ICS that you can inhale…
Alphas with lung disease may use inhaled medicine as part of their treatment program. They use devices called inhalers to take this medicine. Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) deliver a fixed, specific dose each time you use them. Download Inhalers – Your Options and How to Use Them as a PDF. Spray-Type Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)…
Antibiotics are often used to treat severe flare-ups, usually called exacerbations by healthcare providers, in Alphas with COPD. During these flare-ups or exacerbations, you can have increased shortness of breath as well as much more mucus in your lungs that often moves toward yellow and green in color. Download Antibiotics as a PDF. Doctors warn…
Your body releases leukotrienes when you come in contact with an allergy trigger. These chemicals cause inflammation (swelling) which narrows your airways. They also cause your body to produce excess mucus and fluid. Anti-leukotrienes block the effect of leukotrienes and help open your airways. Download Anti-Leukotrienes as a PDF. People with asthma often take anti-leukotrienes.
You’ll find mast cells in the connective tissue of your nose and lungs. When these cells interact with certain types of antibodies they burst and release chemicals that can trigger asthmatic symptoms. Mast cell stabilizers help prevent unstable cells from bursting. Download Mast Cell Stabilizers as a PDF. You spray these medicines into your nose…
Like beta-agonists, muscarinic antagonists are bronchodilators. These are also known as anticholinergics. They open your airways as well as or better than beta-agonists. Firstly, they block nerve impulses that constrict the muscles in your airways. Secondly, they reduce the amount of mucus in your airways. Download Muscarinic Antagonists as a PDF. There are two types…
Beta-agonists are a type of bronchodilator. They open your airways by relaxing the surrounding muscles. They’re like epinephrine, a hormone that gives you a surge of energy when you’re scared or excited. Download Beta-Agonists (SABAs and LABAs) as a PDF. Beta-agonists come in many forms. However, you usually take them with an inhaler or nebulizer.
Combination inhalers have made up the majority of COPD medicines for the last 25 years. You can find many brands, but they all contain 2-3 medicines. Download Combination Inhalers as a PDF. Doctors prescribe one brand over another based on their cost to a particular hospital or health system. Those costs change often. And, your…
