When you have a disability or chronic illness, one of the most important things you can do is to learn as much as you can about it.  The more you know, the easier it should be to get a handle on those days when you feel like it is a constant battle and you are not sure you are winning.

Knowing the language or words that go with COPD/Asthma is a great way to start or to continue to refresh a person’s knowledge of the ins and outs of the lifelong health companion which we are dealing with.

With that, we discuss some of what we call ‘must know words’ of life with COPD/Asthma – and today we will discuss briefly the importance of knowing the word(s) ‘Beta-2 Agonist’.

What is ‘Beta-2 Agonist’?

A very basic definition would be – a medication that relaxes and widens the airways, making breathing easier.

Beta-2 agonists are a type of bronchodilator, which means they were developed to help make breathing easier and are normally available in metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, a nebulizer, pill, injected, and in syrup forms.

Many ‘beta-2 agonists may be available in multiple forms and it will be your physician or pulmonologist who will help you decide which form works best for you and the level of your COPD and/or severe Asthma.

There will be two types of ‘beta-2 agonists’ to work with – one being short-acting and one being long-acting.

The short-acting type of ‘beta-2 agonists’ relieves symptoms and the long-acting form will help prevent further breathing problems.

Short-acting ‘beta-2 agonists’ will commonly be used for treating stable COPD with a patient whose symptoms come and go, intermittent symptoms.  The long-acting ‘beta-2 agonists’ are more effective and convenient for preventing and treating COPD in a person whose symptoms do not go away, persistent symptoms.

According to several medical reports, ‘beta-2 agonists’ are effective in treating symptoms of COPD and improving lung functions as measured by spirometry tests.  Reports also claim ‘beta-2 agonists’ can reduce the number of COPD exacerbations.

While all medicines have side effects, the most common side effects found from using ‘beta-2 agonists’ are headaches, anxiety, nausea, muscle tremors, nervousness and a possible increased or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).

According to reports, a couple of things can be pointed out about the possible side effects – one, they are more likely to occur when you take the medicine as a pill or injection, and two, side effects may appear to go away after you take the ‘beta-2 agonists’ for a while.

You should always remember to discuss with your pharmacist about the possible side effects of each medicine you take, and be sure to read any materials that come with the medicines you are prescribed.

With that, we always like to ask a QUESTION OF OUR READERS, and today we ask, “Do you take any ‘beta-2 agonists’ as part of your routine of efforts to control the progress and affects from your battle with COPD and/or severe Asthma?

As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

Remember – ‘a person without good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer, reprinting or reuse of this article is restricted without written permission.)

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

Know that you can follow all the writings by CrossDove Writer pertaining to COPD/Asthma by following at wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information gathered from various books and internet sources discussing COPD, Asthma and other lung diseases)