Breathing treatments are a common and effective approach to manage various respiratory conditions, helping individuals breathe more easily. While these treatments offer significant benefits by opening airways, they can sometimes lead to unexpected experiences. One such frequent concern is the sensation of shaking or tremors. This physical response is a common side effect for many users, and understanding its underlying reasons can provide clarity and reassurance.
What Breathing Treatments Do
Breathing treatments serve the primary function of delivering medication directly into the airways to alleviate respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing. These medications primarily work by relaxing the muscles that constrict the air passages in the lungs, thereby widening them and improving airflow. Common delivery methods include nebulizers, which transform liquid medication into a fine mist for inhalation, and inhalers, which release medication as an aerosol or dry powder directly into the mouth.
The main class of medications used for this purpose are bronchodilators, with beta-agonists like albuterol being a widely used example. These substances specifically target beta-2 adrenergic receptors located in the smooth muscles surrounding the airways. When activated, these receptors signal the muscles to relax, allowing the bronchial tubes to dilate and making breathing less effortful.
Why Shaking Can Happen
The shaking sensation experienced after a breathing treatment is a direct result of how these medications interact with the body’s systems beyond the lungs. Beta-agonists, while primarily designed to stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the airways, are not exclusively limited to this location. These same beta-2 receptors are also present in various other tissues throughout the body, including skeletal muscles.
When a beta-agonist medication is inhaled, some of it can be absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to systemic effects. Once in the bloodstream, the medication stimulates the beta-2 receptors in skeletal muscles. This stimulation causes the muscle fibers to twitch or contract involuntarily, resulting in the tremors or shaking that individuals often feel. The intensity of this shaking can vary depending on several factors, including medication dose. Individual differences in how the body processes and responds to the medication also play a role. This effect is typically temporary and subsides as the medication is metabolized and cleared from the system.
What to Do About Side Effects
Experiencing shaking or other side effects from breathing treatments can be concerning, but it is important to discuss any side effects, including tremors, with a healthcare provider. They can assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Sometimes, adjusting the way the medication is administered can help reduce side effects. Ensuring proper inhaler or nebulizer technique is important, as incorrect use might lead to less medication reaching the lungs and more being absorbed systemically. A healthcare professional might also consider potential dosage adjustments, which should only be done under medical guidance. It is important to continue treatment as prescribed and not to stop using the medication without consulting a doctor.
Other common, generally mild side effects that can occur include an increased heart rate or a feeling of nervousness. These are often managed similarly, through discussion with a healthcare provider. If any symptoms are severe, persistent, or cause significant distress, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.