Asthma Inhaler: Everything You Need To Know About

Asthma inhalers are portable, hand-held devices that provide medicine to your lungs. To assist manage asthma symptoms, a range of inhalers are available. You can acquire the medication you require to treat or prevent asthma symptoms by choosing the right one and utilizing it properly.

The main form of asthma treatment is inhalers. It can be complicated because there are so many different varieties of inhalers. You must strike a balance between the right medication, the kind of inhaler that best meets your needs, and your ability to use the inhaler appropriately to choose the ideal inhaler for you.

How Do Asthma Inhalers Work?

Inhalers give the necessary medication directly to your lungs. It follows that they are used for lung diseases, of which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are by far the most prevalent (COPD).

You only require a fraction of the dosage compared to taking the same medication in tablet form because the medication is delivered directly to the area where it is needed. As long as you take them as directed, this means fewer side effects and a more effective course of treatment.

Types Of Asthma Inhalers

There are several different types of inhalers used to treat asthma.

Metered Dose Inhalers

A metered-dose inhaler is a tiny, portable medical tool used to address breathing issues. It facilitates the passage of a specified quantity of medication from your mouth into your lungs. It is frequently used to treat breathing issues brought on by respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and others.

Because they are convenient to use and transport, MDIs are widely used.

Nebulizer

A nebulizer is a compact device that produces a fine mist from liquid medication. Through a mouthpiece attached to the machine, you sit and inhale air. The majority of nebulizers are portable and compact. In addition, air compressors are typically used to operate nebulizers. A different type employs sound waves, known as an ultrasonic nebulizer. Despite costing more, this nebulizer kind is quieter.

Nebulizers are often used to provide asthma treatments, however, because they need electricity, they are not as portable as an MDI. As a result, using them during an unexpected asthma attack is more challenging.

Dry Powder Inhaler

A dry powder inhaler (DPI) is a tool used to provide dry powdered asthma medicine. The medication is not “pushed” into your lungs by the device because it is not under pressure like an MDI. Instead, to get the medicine, you must breathe in deeply. It contains a dosage counter that continuously tracks the number of doses used.

Things To Consider Before Using An Inhaler

When using an asthma inhaler, people should always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The following are some general pointers for using an MDI:

• Remove the cap, then spray a few puffs into the air to prime the inhaler.
• Sit or stand up straight.
• To clear the lungs, inhale deeply and exhale slowly.
• Form a tight seal by inserting the mouthpiece into your mouth.
• Press the canister to let out one puff of the medication while inhaling.
• By not exhaling, hold the drug in the lungs for 10 seconds.
• Exhale slowly while removing the inhaler from your mouth.

The following are some general tips for using a DPI:

• When holding the inhaler upright or flat if it has a saucer shape, remove the cap.
• As directed by the manufacturer, load a dose of the medication.
• Sit or stand up straight.
• To clear the lungs, inhale deeply and exhale slowly.
• Form a tight seal by inserting the mouthpiece into your mouth.
• Take a strong, deep breath through your mouth.
• By not exhaling, hold the drug in the lungs for 10 seconds.
• Exhale slowly while removing the inhaler from your mouth.

How To Choose The Best Inhaler For You?

Choosing the best inhaler that matches us depends on various factors such as:

• Convenience– Some inhalers are portable, fit easily in a pocket, and take only a few seconds to use.
• Your Age– Dry powder inhalers should not typically be used by children under the age of six. This is because using an inhaler to breathe in medicine requires such a powerful breath. In general, regular MDI inhalers cannot be used by children under the age of 12 without a spacer. The MDI inhalers can be challenging for some older people to utilize.
• Side Effects– The back of the throat is occasionally affected by inhaler medication. This may occasionally result in issues like oral thrush. Higher doses of steroid inhalers often make this more of an issue. Using a spacer reduces the number of drugs that touches the throat. 

Winding Up

To relax the airways and lessen swelling and mucous, medicine can be delivered using asthma inhalers. Nebulizers, dry powder inhalers, and metered dose inhalers are the three primary categories of inhalers. The directions for each inhaler you use to treat your asthma should be carefully studied because each type differs from the others.

While the majority of inhalers can only be purchased with a prescription, some can be purchased over the counter.

Abonemed Medical Equipment LLC is one of the best Medical Equipment suppliers of general medical devices like a nebulizer, ECG machines, stethoscopes, Pulse oximeters, and many more. We work closely with all of our customers to develop and deliver solutions that help reduce costs and improve quality so our customers can focus on managing the health care of their patients.