Medications, which include preventer inhalers and reliever inhalers, are very important for managing asthma symptoms. To get the best of these medications, you need to administer the medicines directly into the lungs, where they work. Many asthma sufferers lack good inhaler techniques. This explains why they struggle to manage their asthma symptoms the correct way. If you currently struggle to use your inhaler blue correctly, a good way to improve your technique is by using a spacer.
Adding a spacer to your metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes with tons of benefits. Read on to discover what these benefits are, including how to use a spacer correctly with your Ventolin inhaler.
What exactly are asthma inhalers?
Asthma inhalers are hand-held, compact, and portable devices that help sufferers to deliver medications directly to their airways. These devices are available in different types, with some providing short-term relief while others offering long-term prevention of asthma symptoms.
One thing is to have the right type of asthma inhaler, another thing is to use the device correctly. Both factors are important to achieve the best results from your inhaler. Below are the different types of asthma inhalers:
1. Soft mint inhalers
These propellant-free devices are usually larger than conventional reliever asthma inhalers. Soft mint inhalers will help you to administer low-velocity aerosol mist into your lungs. For effective results, you need to slowly inhale this device over a long period.
2. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs)
As the name suggests, these inhalers will allow you to take your asthma medications in the form of a dry powder. These devices are hand-held and portable.
3. Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)
Metered-dose inhalers are very common among asthma sufferers. They feature a pressurized canister, which houses your asthma medication. To use this type of device, you need to push the canister into the boot-shaped mouthpiece, where the medication fits into.
As effective as MDIs are, without proper inhaler techniques, you’ll struggle to get the best out of your medication. This explains why doctors often advise children and old adults to use a spacer or valved holding chamber to achieve a full dose.
How do MDIs with a spacer work for asthma treatment?
A spacer is a plastic tube that features a mouthpiece on one end. MDIs, on the other hand, have three major parts; a mouthpiece, a cap (over the mouthpiece), and a canister, which houses the asthma medicine.
The spacer connects directly to the MDI’s mouthpiece. With the right connection, the asthma medicine will first stay in the spacer tube. For you to administer the medicine into your lungs, you’ll have to take two deep breaths. While using a spacer with your inhaler is effective, you need to understand that it can sometimes waste your medicine.
Tips for using a spacer with your Ventolin inhaler
- Start by checking the mouthpiece of your inhaler and spacer and be sure no dirt is present.
- Next, shake the Ventolin inhaler properly (at least 10 times) before use.
- After that, place the inhaler’s mouthpiece under your top teeth for a proper seal. Next, spray one puff of the asthma medicine and slowly inhale it for at least 3 to 5 minutes.
- After inhalation, hold your breath for roughly 10 seconds.
- Remove the inhaler and breathe out.
- Wait for 1 minute and repeat the process for the number of puffs prescribed by your doctor.
Benefits of using a spacer with your MDI
Using a spacer with your MDI will certainly offer you many benefits:
- This device will help extend the time it takes for your inhaler blue to deliver the medicine into the lungs. This makes it possible for your lungs to absorb the asthma medication more effectively.
- Another good thing about using a spacer is that it’ll provide you with enough time to inhale your medicine. This way, you’ll be able to inhale a full dose of the medicine, which is important for the effective relief of your asthma symptoms.
- With a spacer, you can deliver the medicine directly into your lungs. This will reduce your risk of having side effects, which come with using your blue inhaler asthma device wrongly.
