Friday 23 December 2011

Guidelines in Selecting Your Asthma Inhaler

By Jet Hugher


Asthma inhalers are handy devices that deliver drugs to the lungs. Different types of inhalers are made available for adults and children with asthma to manage symptoms. It is essential that you choose the appropriate asthma inhaler to get the right dose of medication during an attack.

Asthma Inhaler Types

Metered dose inhalers - This inhaler is composed of a pressurized container where the medicine is placed and a boot-shaped plastic nozzle that fits to the container. Usually, in MDI's the medicine is let out by pressing the tank. When the medicine is released, it must be inhaled right away. Other inhalers have counters that indicate how many doses are left. If there is no counter, you must remember how many doses you have already consumed to know if the inhaler already needs a refill.

Metered dose inhaler with a spacer is a bit different since it has a separator which holds the drug first after it has been released. This method will give more time to the patient to breathe on a regular rate and in this manner more medication goes to the lungs than the amount left at the back of the throat. Not all inhalers has a spacer, others attach a separate splitter.

The Dry powder inhaler is a bit different from the previously mentioned types because in this one, the medication does not have to be pushed anymore but instead, the drug is directly inhaled through deep breathing. This type has sub-types which include the single dose disk inhaler, the powder disk inhaler, and the dry powder inhaler tube. The only thing you need to do is to take a deep breath on the inhaler and let the medication into your lungs which is very easy. It will not be right to blow into the inhaler before you inhale because it might cause the device to malfunction.

Nebulizers make use of nozzles and masks. This is very easy to use, no special coordination necessary just plain breathing. These are best for young children and those that have acute and severe cases of asthma. These are also for patients who cannot use MDI or DPI. 15 minutes is the usual time for consumption of the medication dose when using a nebulizer.

Point to Remember to Remain Healthy Even with Asthma

Even when there are no symptoms felt, inhaled medications will still have to be taken because it is meant to keep the airways healthy.

You can ask your physician about the right inhaler to use. You will probably get the best explanation.

The types of inhalers are metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhaler and nebulizers. All these are devices used to administer inhaled medications.

It doesn't matter which device you prefer to use as long as you use it correctly so that you will get the right amount of medication. The medication will be more effective if the right dosage is taken and this will mean that the asthma will be properly managed.

There are many factors to be considered in looking for the right asthma inhaler like for example some drugs are not compatible with other types of inhalers. Consult your physician about this matter to ensure that your needs will be met by the right asthma inhaler.




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