Effects of Bronchodilators in Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
In people with mild COPD, the ability to exhale air from the lungs is partly limited because
of narrowing and collapse of the airways. This results in the trapping of air within the
lungs and over-distention of the lungs and chest (lung hyperinflation).
Breathing at high lung volumes (hyperinflation) is an important cause of breathing discomfort
(dyspnea) in people with COPD. Bronchodilators help to relax muscles in the airways or
breathing tubes. Bronchodilators are often prescribed if a cough occurs with airway narrowing
as this medication can reduce coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Bronchodilators can
be taken orally, through injection or through inhalation and begin to act almost immediately
but with the effect only lasting 4-6 hours. The main purpose of this study is to examine the
effects of inhaled bronchodilators on breathing discomfort and exercise endurance in patients
with mild COPD.