By: Sarah De Young
Exercise, weather change, emotional stress, and allergies. These are just a few of the ways that asthma can be onset. Asthma effects over 300 million people around the world, and is growing rapidly. Asthma medications are very important to take and one form of this is the Asthma Inhalers. Bronchodilators, and corticosteriods are just to name a couple.
First is the bronchodilators, this type of asthma inhaler includes metered-dosed brands such as albuterol, pirbuterol, and advair. A bronchodilator relaxes the bronchial muscles so they will open back up. An albuterol or pirbuterol inhaler is used for fast action relief. Doctors recommend using this before and during physical activity to prevent an attack, as well as before bed and when you wake up.
As a bronchodilator opens the bronchial tubes, a corticosteriod will keep them from constricting again. A corticosteriod is used for long-term relief of asthma. Flovent is a common type of corticosteroid. A corticosteroid can be inhaled more rapidly due to the dry powder form it comes in. The doctor may recommend using both types of inhalers, you will have to consult them to best see what asthma inhalers fit your needs.
It is very important to use an asthma inhaler properly also. The recommended technique for the meter dosed asthma inhaler (which is also known as Aerosol) is as follows:
1. Shake well. Be sure to shake the inhaler several times before each use
2. Do not lie down; stand with your head up straight
3. Exhale as much as possible until you feel you have no more air inside your lungs then insert the asthma inhalers mouthpiece into your mouth sealing it with your lips
4. After you have sealed the mouthpiece start to breathe in and simultaneously press down one time and only one time on the canister to release a single dose
5. Pull the device out of your mouth and continue to try and breathe through your open mouth for four to five seconds until your lungs are full of air
6. After your lungs are full of air hold your breath for at least ten seconds
7. Exhale
If after step seven you still are not breathing properly repeat steps one-seven.
Incorrect asthma inhalers technique can cause poor delivery of your medication to the lungs. This most likely will occur if your delivery is late when inhaling and pressing once on the canister, a released puff half way through the process will be lost. It is important that you know how to use the asthma inhaler before leaving the doctor office to help with asthma control when an asthma attack comes on.
Asthma does not need to slow you down, with the help of asthma inhalers and other asthma medicine you can lead the life you always have.
