Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...

Common Respiratory Disorders

Common Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders, a prevalent health concern globally, are generally divided into two primary categories: upper and lower respiratory tract disorders. The categorization is based on the area of the respiratory system they affect.
Upper respiratory disorders impact the airways above the vocal cords, encompassing areas like the nose, sinuses, and throat. Various conditions fall under this category, including the common cold and allergic rhinitis. These disorders can stem from several causes,...

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Decongestants are a class of medications used primarily to alleviate nasal congestion, a common symptom resulting from allergies, colds, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. These drugs work by activating α-adrenergic receptors, constricting small blood vessels in the nasal membranes. This action results in the opening of clogged nasal passages, thereby facilitating sinus drainage and relieving congestion.
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries in Female Youth Soccer Players.

Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine·2017

Same author

Is Heading in Youth Soccer Dangerous Play?

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2016

Same author

Is Knee Separation During a Drop Jump Associated With Lower Extremity Injury in Adolescent Female Soccer Players?

The American journal of sports medicine·2015

Same author

Cardiovascular screening in college athletes.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology·2015

Same author

Evaluation of the Zachery Lystedt Law among female youth soccer players.

The Physician and sportsmedicine·2014

Same author

Concerns about concussion rates in female youth soccer-reply.

JAMA pediatrics·2014

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

Coping with upper respiratory infections.

John W O'Kane¹

¹Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195-4060, USA. jokane@u.washington.edu.

The Physician and Sportsmedicine

|January 21, 2010

Summary

Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are common and often caused by viruses. While some URIs require antibiotics, many viral infections do not benefit from them, necessitating symptom-specific treatments.

Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
General Medicine

Background:

Upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) are prevalent, encompassing conditions like the common cold, sore throat, and sinusitis.
URIs can be caused by either viruses or bacteria, influencing treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To inform patients about the nature of URIs and appropriate treatment options.
To clarify the role of antibiotics in treating viral versus bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

Review of common URI causes and symptoms.
Analysis of medication classes for symptom relief and infection treatment.

Main Results:

Most URIs are viral in origin.
Symptomatic treatments like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and decongestants are effective for viral URIs.

More Related Videos

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

Published on: January 21, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions

Published on: September 22, 2023

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

Published on: January 21, 2018

Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial URIs and do not benefit viral infections.

Conclusions:

Understanding the cause of a URI is crucial for effective treatment.
Viral URIs are best managed with supportive care and symptom relief, not antibiotics.