As the old saying goes, cheaters never win. No matter how big the lie: think Michael Armstrong said when he admitted doping for the Tour de France. In every major sport or Olympic event, there are those who think they won’t get caught cheating. Although the cheaters get smarter to avoid detection, science eventually catches up. Winning is always the ultimate test, the ultimate prize but you can’t get there if the playing field is not level. If the man or woman next to you is using chemical enhancements to gain an edge over you, you can’t win. It doesn’t matter how much you train, study or work out. You can’t beat that edge naturally. The only hope is that the governing sport body catches the cheaters. Using Ventolin (#Ventolin) is one such edge.
What Is Ventolin?
Ventolin is also more famously known as Albuterol or Salbutamol. This prescription drug is a bronchodilator with the main purpose of relaxing muscles in the airways and increase air flow to the lungs. This medication targets the opening of the medium and large airways. Another version called Ventolin HFA is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. This medication is used to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other breathing disorders. Recently, it has been approved for treatment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The most common form of Ventolin is an inhaler or nebulizer which means the medication is absorbed through the lungs. It also comes as a pill or intravenous solution in the event that the inhaler is difficult to use. A lot of people ask wondering is Ventolin a rescue inhaler. The simple answer is yes. Albuterol is used to prevent asthma attacks (wheezing) especially by exercise. Wheezing (asthma attack) occurs the muscles of the airway (breathing tubes) spasm (constrict) causing bronchoconstriction.
Ventolin Side Effects 
This Albuterol inhaler as all prescription drug products has side effects that have to be considered prior to use. Some of the less serious side effects include dry mouth or throat, shakiness, restlessness, nervousness, excitement, headaches or trouble sleeping. Other side effects include Itching, hives, swelling to your face or hands, chest pain, trouble breathing and a red skin rash (blistering or peeling). You may experience a fast, pounding or uneven heartbeat, low potassium levels, muscle cramps, diarrhea and nausea or vomiting.
There will be times that you experience insomnia. This known side effect is one of the reasons why students sometimes take Ventolin to cram for finals or other tests. Please notify a doctor if you experience a bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), especially after starting a new canister of this medicine. Look for the symptoms of low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling). Also beware of high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
How It Is Detected
The question everyone asks now is how can this help in sports performance (doping). Let’s look at the process, First, it opens up the airways in your lungs to increase air supply. Next, this increase also increases the amount of oxygen added to your blood. More oxygen in the bloodstream which is transported to your muscles. In turn, your muscles increase contraction time since they are being replenished with lots of fresh oxygenated blood. All of these actions result in prolonged endurance. This is the simple edge needed for that extra mile, that extra sprint down the court or that extra rush on the quarterback. Some studies even suggest that there is muscle gain from its use which can also lead to weight loss.
Albuterol is one of the easier drugs to detect since it can be found with simple blood work. It is contained in the plasma of your blood. However, there is about a 24 hour window by which the detection can be done. Once in your bloodstream, it will quickly begin to filter out through your kidneys. So a second chance of detecting is in your urine analysis. For most government or sports regulatory agencies, the maximum limit allowed is 1000 μg/L. Higher amounts are considered signs of abuse and cheating.
Have you ever tried Ventolin for sports?
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