Posted by IsoM on October 9, 2002, at 3:00:13
In reply to Adrenaline spray:Is this what Ventolin is?, posted by Festus on October 8, 2002, at 23:05:39
Adrenaline (also called epinephrine) is a neurotransmitter/hormone. Ventolin is a bronchial dilator, not the same thing at all. Some of the side effects can be similar but Ventolin is probably used as an aerosal (instead of tablets which are also available) by your daughter. This way, the effects are more localized, just in the bronchial passages rather than throughout the body.
Ventolin relaxes the smooth muscles in the bronchial passages, opening the airways fuller but it can cause a mild tremor as it stimulates receptors in skeletal muscles too. But rest assured, if your daughter doesn't overuse her Ventolin, she's fine. Not the same as adrenaline at all. The other guys were quite likely confusing the two from lack of knowledge. It's recommended that someone who's asthmatic should use an inhaler before they exercise as it works to open airways better before, rather than after, constriction starts. Every little astham attack will accumulate minor damage over the years.
poster:IsoM
thread:122840
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021006/msgs/122876.html