Which condition is salbutamol primarily used to manage?

Salbutamol is primarily used to manage bronchospasm, which is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the airways in the lungs due to muscle tightening, leading to difficulties in breathing. It is a bronchodilator medication that acts on beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the airways, causing relaxation and widening of these passages, thereby improving airflow. This makes it particularly effective for conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where bronchospasm is a significant symptom.

The other conditions listed are managed through different therapeutic approaches. Heart failure typically involves the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers to manage fluid overload and heart function. Severe headaches may require analgesics or specific migraine treatments rather than bronchodilators. Gastroesophageal reflux is usually addressed with proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists to reduce stomach acid rather than using a medication like salbutamol. Thus, salbutamol's specific action on the airways makes it the most appropriate choice for managing bronchospasm.