Asthma Inhaler

Asthma can cause extreme constriction of the throat and block all possible methods of normal breathing. However, asthma patients can use inhalers to ensure free passage of air and normal breathing. A variety of inhalers are available to help in proper functioning of breathing. The first type is Metered dose inhalers. It’s a container which has been pressurized and contains the medicine to be inhaled in a measured dose. There is a mouthpiece attached to the can through which the patient inhales the drug and there is a valve which has a meter to measure the dose being administered, which allows the user the correct amount each time.

The inhalers can be either automatic inhalers or manually activated ones where you can release the drug by squeezing the container. This type of inhaler is more advantageous as the time given for the drug to reach the lungs is longer and remnants of the drug deposited at the back of the neck is also less. The medicine when released produces a warm and soft feeling giving great relief to the affected. Other than the dispenser inhalers, there are inhalers in powder form readily available as well. This inhaler uses the drug not in a gas form but as a powder by sucking it. Most people prefer using the powdered inhaler as it does not require the co-ordination of releasing the correct amount of drugs. It also involves breathing faster and harder than the traditional metered ones.

The medicines used are also for various reasons. Some are meant to give quick relief while some are meant for lasting longer. Some medicines come only with typical inhalers  The short acting bronchodilators are meant for providing relief immediately while the long acting bronchodilators have a longer lasting effect on the patients. Another medicine Corticosteroids are used for longer periods to inhibit frequent asthma attacks while Cromolyn or Nedocromil are meant for the purpose of preventing inflamed airways.

It is very important to use the inhalers correctly as the medicine should reach the lungs to enable normal breathing. You need to enquire from the doctor or nurse the method of usage. Sometimes it becomes difficult to use inhalers for people who are not capable of administering the drug themselves like infants, young children and people who are critically ill. Thus, these people can take the help of nebulizers where they can inhale the medicine through a mask worn over the nose and mouth.