What are asthma inhalers and how should they be used?
Asthma inhalers have made life significantly easier for both doctors and
patients. Inhalers are portable devices that deliver asthma medication directly
to the lungs and can be easily used in any setting. This means that an asthma
attack - which can happen at any time - can be treated with medication right
away, without waiting for medical help to arrive.
It is not too far fetched to say that asthma inhalers are the main reason why patients with acute asthma symptoms can function with a high degree of independence.
Asthma inhalers form the key element in emergency rescue medication for use during asthma attacks. Carrying inhalers makes it possible for patients to travel or engage in sports without fear of the consequences of a sudden attack. Some kinds of inhalers are however not for use in emergencies and are rather for treating chronic bronchial problems.
Types of inhalers
There are two kinds of inhalers - metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers.
Metered dose inhalers use a chemical propellant (usually a fluorocarbon) to deliver the medication as a fine mist into the air. The patient presses a plunger to release a preset dose of medication.
The other kind of asthma inhaler is the dry powder inhaler. Manufacturers developed this partly in response to concerns about fluorocarbons having an adverse affect on the atmosphere. The difference here is that the medication is delivered in the form of a powder rather than as a mist.
Types of medications used
Emergency rescue inhalers use a class of medication called short acting bronchodilators. These medications do their work by inducing the muscles surrounding the bronchi to relax, which helps the patient breathe more easily. Common drugs used include pirbuterol and albuterol and they are effective for around four to eight hours only.
Another kind of asthma inhaler makes use of long acting bronchodilators. They are not meant to be used for short term relief in an asthma attack. They include medications like formoterol and salmeterol which relax the bronchial muscles over a period of time. These drugs are used to treat chronic problems.
Some asthma inhalers contain corticosteroids, which is used as preventive medication. Corticosteroids have long lasting effects and help to reduce inflammation in the bronchi. Typically, corticosteroids are used once or twice a day as part of an ongoing treatment plan.
There are also inhalers making use of non-steroidal medications like nedocromil and cromolyn which control inflammation. Finally, some brands of asthma inhalers contain a combination of a long-acting bronchodilator and a corticosteroid.
Using asthma inhalers
It is best to follow the doctor's instructions on how to use asthma inhalers. Here are some general guidelines.
Metered dose inhalers are pressurized canisters, somewhat like small spray cans. Place the canister mouthpiece against the patient's mouth. To release a dose of medication, press down on the canister's top and the medication comes out as a fine mist. The patient should inhale the medication through the mouth at the same time that the canister top is pressed.
This coordination can be quite difficult for small children or for the elderly. To get around this problem, a hollow tube called a spacer is placed between the inhaler outlet and the patient's mouth. This allows the patient to inhale the medicine over several breaths instead of a single breath.
Dry powder inhalers do away with the need for any such coordination. These inhalers are activated by the patient's breath. The patient has to put his lips onto the mouthpiece of the inhaler and take in a quick, sharp breath. This will pull in a dose of medication in powdered form.
Asthma inhalers have given patients the enormous benefit of being able to lead normal lives. They should be used according to an asthma action plan drawn up by a doctor for each patient.