All About Asthma Inhalers
Of late, great emphasis has been placed on administering asthma medication by inhalation, or via asthma inhalers, because they then act at the site of the problem (like the airways) and have fewer risks of the side effects commonly associated with oral administration. These side effects typically include shakiness, rapid heart rates, vomiting, jitters, headache and nausea.
It is most important to emphasize that asthma inhalers can be abused by overuse. An inhaler should be used no more frequently than two puffs up to every four to six hours. Your doctor should be notified if it is needed more frequently, as this may indicate that additional medication are needed. The major concern with inhaler overuse is that it may delay the necessary additional therapy or emergency treatment. In addition, irregular heartbeats may occur with inhaler abuse.
Inhaler Technique
Proper inhaler technique is also essential. The head is slightly tilted back to allow a straighter path for the inhaled medication. The inhaler itself is best held away from the mouth, not in the mouth as is often suggested. The reason for this is that by holding the inhaler away from the mouth, the medication is more likely to become aerosolized and pass into the air tubes, as opposed to hitting the back of the throat.
However, it is also acceptable to hold the inhaler in the mouth, although this is a matter of debate. After exhaling as much air as possible, a big breath is taken in slowly while holding the inhaler a few inches from your mouth. Activate the inhaler just as you begin to breath in.
When you have inhaled as much air as you can, hold your breath a few seconds, preferably to the count of ten. Wait five minutes before using the inhaler a second time, which allows the first inhalation to open the airways for further penetration by the second breath of medication. Never activate the inhaler two times dring one breathing maneuver. When your doctor instructs you to use two puffs of the inhaler, this means two separate breathing maneuvers spaced by five minutes.
Finally, keep the cover on your inhaler or carry it in a clean plastic bag when not in use. If you carry your inhaler uncovered in your pocket or purse, lint or dust can build up on the inhaler and possibly enter your airways during use. For patients troubled by arthritis who may have difficulty activating the inhaler, an inhaler attachment called VentEase is available.
How To Tell If Your Inhaler Is Full or Nearly Empty
- Remove the mouthpiece and place the inhaler in a container of water which is at room temperature.
- An inhaler that is full will sink to the bottom. An empty inhaler will float on top of the water.
- A partially filled inhaler will float somewhere in between. The higher the inhaler floats, the more empty it is.
Whether or not you experience mild or severe asthma, as long as you have this condition, you should keep your asthma inhaler with you at all times. You need never know when it will flare up and it’s always best to be prepared. If your asthma attacks are rare, you should always check for the expiry date on your inhaler to see if your medication is still safe for use. Keep your inhaler in a clean place to avoid contracting other infections.
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