What is Spiriva?

what is spiriva

We will freely admit we don’t know much about you, but one thing we do know is that you spent the entirety of today breathing the whole time. That applies to every living person on the planet, and for most of us breathing in and out all day long isn’t something we give much thought to. But for a person who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder that everyday part of their bodily function isn’t something that goes smoothly like it does for the rest of us. It is inflammation that is at the root of breathing difficulties with COPD, and that leads to asking what is Spiriva used for.

It is an effective COPD treatment medication, and it is taken as an inhalation for fast relief of COPD breathing troubles and it works by counteracting the inflammatory response so that airways are not constricted to the same extent. The workings of that are the next part of what is Spiriva that we’ll look at here, and this COPD medication does work in a very specific way. Everyone’s lungs will have smooth muscle cells all around them, and on those muscles is a type of receptor called a muscarinic receptor.

It’s here that the signals from the immune system promoting inflammation find a willing host, and with what is Spiriva the way it works is the active ingredient in the medication – Tiotropium – blocks the receptors and takes them out of the constricted-airway equation. When this happens bronchodilation is able to occur, and the relaxing of the muscles means that the airway becomes more open.

Patience Grasshopper

COPD inhalers like Spiriva do work well, and the effectiveness of the medication is a big part of why people will be asking what is Spiriva used for. You’ll be advised to use the inhaler every day as a COPD maintenance inhaler in the same way you would if you were treating asthma. But users are always advised to not expect significant COPD relief right away, and that’s because it takes some time for the medication to take full effect.

You may need several weeks before you find that your COPD flare ups are less intense, and so it’s important not to get discouraged and assume that the medication isn’t working effectively for you. It is likely working just fine, you just need to be patient, and having this understanding can be a part of what is Spiriva when a person who is new to COPD is looking into the best way to manage their condition. This will also apply to anyone who is using the Trelegy inhaler for the same purpose.

The last thing you might want to also consider are ways to improve lung function, and this is especially true for people who had poor pulmonary health before developing COPD. One thing people may be surprised to learn is that getting good quality sleep each night can go quite a way with improving lung function overall.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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