Inhalers, Their Types and Correct Usage Tips

Asthma is a growing problem, which has affected children and adults alike. Respiratory problems have largely been caused because of increased industrialization and pollution. Although you may be disappointed with the fact that there is no cure for asthma, since it lives with the person throughout their lives, there are different techniques and medications, which can help in the treatment of asthma.

This will lessen the times of asthma attacks, so that you can spend your days and nights peacefully. Most asthma medications are in the form of inhalers and doctors do not recommend pills or liquids for this problem. This is because inhalers have fewer side effects, and they help in reduction of inflammation in the lungs.

They may also help prevent an extreme asthma attack. Inhalers are the most common type of treatment, which is prescribed by the patients.

Inhalers Tips

An inhaler is a device, which holds a medicine, which is taken in by breathing. This type of treatment is only effective if it is used properly. The inhaler delivers the medicine into the lung, which in turn, helps in the controlling of asthma symptoms. If an inhaler is not used correctly, no medicine will reach the lungs, and the treatment will be useless. Broadly, there are two types of inhalers. These include:

· Metered dose inhalers (MDIs): Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are used to deliver a variety of inhaled medications, including quick relief bronchodilators such as albuterol, Proventil®, Ventolin®, and controller medicines such as glucocorticoids (Flovent HFA®, QVAR®, and others). You deliver the medication by pushing down on a canister. This inhaler has been widely used for more than 40 years. The canister contains the above mentioned gases in an inactive form, and when the top of the inhaler is pressed, one dose propels forward. This is the most common type of inhaler used, although this trend has changed over the last few year.

· Dry powder inhalers (DPIs): Medication is delivered in the form of dry powder into the lungs. This type of inhaler ensures that the exact amount of dose required goes into the lungs. A dry powder inhaler is activated through the breath. The asthma medication comes in a dry powder form inside a small capsule, disk or compartment inside your inhaler. Therefore, this method is quite simple.

You need to use the inhalers correctly if you want to get the medication properly. You should always ensure that the inhalers are cleaned on a regular basis. For your MDI, you should make sure that there is medicine inside the canister. Clean them thoroughly so that there is no mucus formation.

However, if inhalers do not work properly, especially for the elderly, then nebulizers machines work efficiently in those patients, who have extreme difficulty in breathing. Nebulizers are devices that turn the liquid form of your short-acting bronchodilator medicines into a fine mist, like an aerosol. Most of the time, inhalers work perfectly fine and there is no need for the use of nebulizers. With this device, however, you just need to breathe in and out, that’s all you have to do!