Final answer:
In COPD treatment, anticholinergics open airways by preventing bronchoconstriction, β-agonists relax bronchial muscles reducing bronchospasm, and methylxanthines act as bronchodilators. Smoking cessation is the only treatment that has been proven to improve survival and quality of life in COPD patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) aim to alleviate symptoms by improving airflow and reducing bronchospasm. Here's how each class of medication contributes to symptom relief:
- Anticholinergics such as ipratropium bromide and tiotropium work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, which in turn prevents bronchoconstriction, thus helping to keep the airways open and making breathing easier.
- β-agonists like albuterol stimulate β-adrenergic receptors in the lungs, leading to relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles. This action reduces bronchospasm and assists in opening up the airways.
- Methylxanthines such as theophylline, act as a bronchodilator by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchi, and may also have some anti-inflammatory effects.
The only treatment proven to improve survival and quality of life in COPD patients is cessation of smoking. Smoking cessation slows down the progression of COPD and can lead to a significant improvement in lung function over time.