There are many ailments treated with inhalers, oral sprays, dry powders etc. The area covered with this information page is the use of measured dose spray inhalers used to treat asthma.
The two usual lnhalers are the BROWN preventer inhaler using a steroid, and the BLUE reliever inhaler using salbutamol.
Apparently quite a number of users are not using these in a way that will alleviate the symptoms to a level that should be obtained by their prescription.
These inhalers should be used utilising a spacer, particularly the brown preventer inhaler.
Using a spacer is not as time critical to inhale as it would be without a spacer. The medication goes into the spacer and then into the mouth giving a little more time to inhale the medication.
Using an inhaler
The atomiser must be shaken before use 15/20 times, longer if it has not been used for a while. This is to completely mix the medication with the propellant.
Then breathe in, breathe out, put the mouth piece in the mouth and breathe in (not a quick suck) for 5 seconds if possible. This must be done as the atomiser is pressed, not before, not after. (This is where a spacer really helps you get the benefit of the amount of medication dosed).
Then hold the breath for 10 seconds if possible. Still air allows the medication to be absorbed, and then breathe normally.
Rinse the mouth out as soon as possible.
Rinse a spacer every week to keep it clean but do not wipe it dry, wiping can cause static and stop your spacer working properly.
Shake the majority of water out and then let it stand to evaporate the rest of the water.
To clean the Brown or Blue plastic holder and mouthpiece just remove the atomiser and wipe clean, then replace the atomiser.
Do not get the atomiser wet.
If the blue inhaler has been used following or during activity/sport, rest for a short while after taking the medication to allow the trachea and the bronchi, the pipes from the mouth to the lungs to return to “normal”.
Rinsing the mouth helps prevent some infections in the mouth and throat.
Most of this information is from Asthma UK.
Your medication can only help if it is administered correctly. First Aid courses now have to cover the use of inhalers.
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