Asthma inhaler: types, names, how they act and how to use it correctly for bronchial asthma.
People suffering from frequent asthma attacks should always have an inhaler with them.
An asthma attack is a condition of the body in which acute respiratory failure is felt and emergency assistance is needed. With an asthmatic attack, a person experiences severe respiratory tract spasms and suffocation. Pills, syrups or injections will not help to quickly remove the attack. Here, an asthma inhaler, which sends the drug directly to the respiratory tract and to the bronchial system, can cope.
Before purchasing an inhaler, you should consult your doctor.
Inhalers are very popular among both adults and children, they are easy to use and safe.
Species and their action
Inhalers for asthma are an indispensable thing for a person suffering from such an ailment. The device provides instant delivery of drugs that relieve spasms in the respiratory tract, thereby relieving the attack. At the moment, a huge number of different types of inhalers are presented, which have their pros and cons.
Spacers
The spacer kit includes special valves; they are attached to the device body. Medicines are given only when inhaling, at the time of exhalation, the supply of the substance is blocked. Such a system allows more economical use of medicines, and is also very convenient for treating babies who still cannot independently control their breathing process. With the help of a spacer, the drug substance enters the respiratory tract of the child, regardless of his breathing. If we talk about the disadvantages of such an inhaler, then this is a larger size than pocket inhalerTherefore, it is not always convenient to take it with you.
Well suited for treating children as it is still difficult for them to control their breathing.
Nebulizers
Nebulizer is called an inhaler., which is characterized by the most effective distribution of the medicine on the internal organs of the respiratory system. Evenly distributed, the solution enters the farthest parts of the respiratory tract, which gives an excellent and preventive effect.
The size of the nebulizer allows you to use the device only at home.
However, such an inhaler will not be a salvation for asthmatics with frequent seizures, since its size will not allow you to take it with you, so that you can apply it instantly with a suffocating seizure. The nebulizer is great for home use, in order to treat and not relieve an attack. The device can be compressor and ultrasonic, in this case, the substance is sprayed through a special membrane, which, oscillating, makes the medicine spray. The quality and speed of treatment depends on the type of nebulizer.
The only negative of portable nebulizers is the overpriced.
At the moment, manufacturers are actively developing portable nebulizers powered by batteries or accumulators. However, there are few who want to buy such an inhaler, since so far the cost remains high.
Liquid inhalers
A metered-dose liquid inhaler allows the use of various aerosols. Of the advantages - affordable price and ease of use. If we talk about the cons, then there are many more.Firstly, the medicine enters the respiratory system exclusively by inhalation, and this requires certain skills from the patient. Secondly, part of the contents of the inhaler remains in the mouth, as a result of which the substance enters the digestive tract, which can lead to unpleasant side effects. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consult a doctor to get a dosage recommendation.
It is convenient to take a liquid inhaler with you, and can be purchased at an affordable price.
Aerosol powder
A powder inhaler is good in that the dry dose of the drug enters the required amount precisely in the respiratory tract without settling in the oral cavity. Efficiency at a good level, and fairly simple operating rules. The negative side is the high cost compared to other inhalers.
More effective treatment, but rather high cost.
Hormonal
Such inhalers act with broad-based steroid substances. Such funds help get rid of swelling and inflammation through the hormones of adrenaline. These inhalations are prescribed only by a doctor and only after treatment with more gentle means. Hormone-based drugs do not penetrate the blood, which avoids the strong side effects and metabolic disorders.
Hormonal inhalation should be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Multiple laboratory studies have allowed to identify errors that are characteristic of asthmatics and which leads to a decrease in the quality of treatment. For example, when using an inhaler, the patient cannot do this on inhalation, while it is during this action that the substance enters the lungs in much larger quantities. Research has allowed the development of inhalation devices that are activated by inspiration. That is, the inhaler itself is able to determine when to release the drug.
The most popular drugs for inhaler
Each inhaler has its own medication and method of exposure. Some are used to relieve acute attacks, others for a long course of therapy. Some substances over time replace others and their list is quite large. Most often, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- Flixotide and Symbicort;
- Becotide;
- Salbutamol;
- Ingacort, Benacort.
Some inhalers have an anti-inflammatory property, that is, they help get rid of the very cause of the disease. Others have a bronchodilating effect, that is, it has an instant removal of a choking attack.
Also, an allergic reaction can manifest as choking spasms.
For the treatment of asthma, means of different action groups are used:
- Sympathomimetics, such as Terbutaline, Levalbuterol, Pirburetol and Salbutamol, they have an expanding effect on the bronchi and stimulate them.
- Blockers of the M-cholinergic group. These include Ipratropium and Atrovent, which help relax the bronchi.
- Aminophylline and Theophylline belong to the methylxanthine group. They act by blocking enzymes that relax the bronchi.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to carefully study the composition of the drug in an aerosol, for which it is worth carefully familiarizing yourself with the contents of the aerosol.
For inhalation procedures, there are a lot of funds, the most popular of them are Salbutamol or Symbicort. They occupy a leading position, since they quickly get rid of painful symptoms and can be used not only for adults, but also for children. To avoid side effects, the patient should learn the proper use of an inhaler from a specialist.
In addition to the funds listed above, there are other, less popular, but no less effective:
- Atrovent;
- Magnesium sulfate;
- Fluimucil;
- Berotek and Berudual;
- Lazolvan and others.
Also, sometimes it is possible to do inhalation with the help of mineral water, for example, Narzan, or saline. This harmless option is most often used for children either sick or intolerant of drugs.
The use of saline is recommended for children or patients with intolerance to substances in the composition of the drug.
Contraindications to inhalation
Like any other medicine, an inhaler has a number of contraindications. This does not mean the type of device, but the drugs that are used in it. So, the use of inhalation treatment is unacceptable in the following cases:
- Lung diseases such as pneumothorax, emphysema, as well as bleeding, coughing up blood.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Failure of the functioning of the blood.
- Hypertension.
- People who have recently had a heart attack or stroke.
- Individual intolerance to drugs as part of an inhaler.
- Not all medicines can be used for diabetes, pregnancy, and also to treat children under two years of age. You need to consult a doctor so that he prescribes a safe treatment.
Also, inhalation is recommended not earlier than 2 hours after charging or eating. After the procedure, smoking is not allowed (passive including). The best option would be if you carry out inhalation and the next half hour under the supervision of a doctor.
How to apply with bronchial asthma
Before you start use an inhalerIt is worthwhile to carefully study the instructions and consult with your doctor about which is best to choose an inhaler. This will make it possible to receive the highest quality treatment.
The rules for using an inhaler device, which is used for frequent attacks, are as follows:
- Before starting the procedure, you must rinse your mouth properly to get rid of possible food residues.
- Next, you need to remove the protective cap from the aerosol and shake it vigorously.
- Now you need to exhale and tightly grasp the mouthpiece lips.
- It is necessary to inhale the drug and press the inhaler button at the same time.
- The mouthpiece is removed from the mouth and you need to hold your breath for ten seconds.
- Now you can exhale air and tightly close the can.
Using an inhaler, you need to hold the mouthpiece firmly with your lips.
It is worth remembering that if the medicinal substances used in inhalers do not relieve symptoms and patients do not feel better after the inhalation procedure, you should consult a doctor. The specialist, in turn, must adjust the treatment, replace drugs and monitor the condition of his ward. It should also be noted that improper use of the device can lead to side effects that may not have the best effect on human health. In this situation, another medicine is prescribed, and the patient is re-trained in the rules for using the inhaler.
You must be responsible for your health, inability to use an inhaler can cost not only health but also life.
