What pharmacological intervention is commonly prescribed for patients with COPD to relieve bronchospasm?

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) typically experience obstructed airflow due to bronchospasm and inflammation in the airways. Bronchodilators, such as albuterol, are a cornerstone of the pharmacological management of COPD because they directly target the bronchial smooth muscle to induce relaxation and improve airflow.

Albuterol specifically belongs to a class of medications known as short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs). These medications are effective in alleviating acute symptoms of bronchospasm by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the bronchial smooth muscle, causing relaxation and dilation of the airways. This relief is particularly important for managing sudden episodes of breathlessness commonly associated with COPD.

In contrast, while antibiotics may be prescribed for exacerbations of COPD to treat respiratory infections, they do not address the underlying bronchospasm. Corticosteroids are also commonly used in COPD management, particularly for their anti-inflammatory effects, but they do not provide immediate relief of bronchospasms as bronchodilators do. Antihistamines are generally used to treat allergic reactions and symptoms like sneezing or nasal congestion and are not effective for bronchospasm associated with COPD.

Therefore, bronchodilators like al