Asthma inhalers are an effective way of delivering medication directly into the lungs of people suffering from asthma. But many first time users are often confused about the proper way of using these devices. There are many different types of inhalers available to relieve or control asthma symptoms. Proper knowledge about the use and type of medicines delivered by these inhalers provides help in optimizing their benefits to asthmatics.
Which Are The Various Types Of Inhalers?
An asthma inhaler is a portable handheld device that delivers asthma medication directly into the lungs of the patient. As the medicines are delivered directly into the lungs, inhalers help relieve asthma symptoms faster and with lesser side effects.
Most asthma inhalers fall under the following two categories:
Metered Dose Inhalers (MSI) – These inhalers deliver asthma medication through a small, portable canister. They use a chemical propellant to force a measured dose of medicine through the inhaler. MSI consists of a canister, which contains the medicine, a mouthpiece and a valve for disposing the exact required dose. When you press the inhaler, the medicine is released into your lungs. You can also use an inhaler with a spacer, which is a short tube that can be attached to the inhaler. The use of a spacer decreases the amount of medicine deposited at the back of your throat and increases the quantity of medicine reaching into your lungs. Metered dose inhalers with counters for measuring the number of doses are also available.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) was generally used as the chemical propellant in these inhalers. But with a ban on CFCs nowadays, other propellants like hydrofluoroalkane (HKA) are being used in these inhalers. HKA inhalers release a softer and warmer dose of medicine than the CFC ones.
Dry Powder Inhalers – These inhalers do not use a propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler. The patient receives the medication by breathing in more quickly than he would with a traditional metered dose inhaler. Some models of these inhalers require the operation of a cocking device. These are available in various types such as single-dose dry powder disk inhalers, powder disk inhalers and dry powder tube inhalers. One should not use spacers with dry powder inhalers.
Which Is The Right One For You?
When deciding upon the right type of inhaler for yourself, there are number of factors that must be considered, such as your hand and breath coordination, your ability to breathe fast and deep and the medicines required. Knowledge about the features of various inhaler types can help you make a prudent decision. A simple metered dose inhaler is not only portable and convenient to use but also does not require the patient to breathe fast and deep. It requires almost no maintenance and protects the medicine in the inhaler from humidity. But if used with a spacer, it requires proper hand and breath coordination for optimum effect. It requires shaking and priming and may require you to keep track of the remaining doses of medicine.
Dry powder inhalers are also portable and convenient but they require the patient to breathe deep and fast. Although hand and breath coordination is not required, any accidental exhalation before the activation may blow away the medication. These types of inhalers require very little or almost no maintenance and give a clear indication of the device not having any medication. But the powdered medicine can clump due to high humidity.
Which Medicines Are Delivered Through These Inhalers?
Asthma inhalers deliver different kinds of medicines for both long-term control and short-term relief. Asthma medications in inhalers include short-acting bronchodilators such as albuterol and pirbuterol for providing instant relief from asthma symptoms. Inhalers can also include long-term bronchodilators such as salmeterol and formoterol for long-term relief. Other asthma medicines also include corticosteroids like beclomethasone dipropionate, fluticasone and budesonide for long-term asthma attack prevention.
Whatever the type of inhaler, it is important to use it in the proper way so that the medication reaches the lungs properly. You can consult your doctor for the correct method of using your inhaler and follow the given instructions carefully. Proper use of inhalers plays an important role in the success of your asthma management plan.