Asthma is an inflammatory disease that affects the airways. It is caused by allergens and other conditions like exercise. In asthma, the airways become constricted and result in wheezing or difficulty breathing, coughing and chest tightness. This disease is treated or prevented with several drugs including medications that are delivered via small, hand held devices called inhalers. There are different types of inhalers and having the right one is necessary for delivering medication at the right dose.
Metered Dose Inhaler
The metered dose inhaler is the most common type of asthma inhaler available. It consists of a canister that contains aerosol medication, a dosing chamber which holds the canister and regulates the amount of medication released and a mouthpiece through which the medication is inhaled. Improper use of a metered dose inhaler results in the delivery of inadequate amounts of asthma medication. To use a metered dose inhaler, the mouthpiece is placed in the mouth and the lips are used to form a seal around it. To release the medication into the mouth, the canister is pushed down. For proper medication administration, the patient takes in a deep slow breath at the same time the canister is depressed.
Metered Dose Inhaler with Spacer
Some patients find it difficult to use a metered dose inhaler properly. Such patients include the elderly, children and individuals who suffer from arthritis, according to "Basic Guide to Medical Emergencies in the Dental Practice." These individuals can use metered dose inhalers with spacers instead. A metered dose inhaler with spacer is simply a metered dose inhaler with a spacer attached to its mouth piece. A spacer is a small tube that asthma medication is delivered into when the canister is depressed. The medication can then be slowly inhaled by the patient. The Mayo Clinic's website says that some metered dose inhalers may come with built-in spacers while others may have separate spacers that can be attached when needed.
Dry Powder Inhaler
Dry powder inhalers hold asthma medication in very fine powder form, according to "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Asthma: A Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Plan for You and Your Family." For this powder to be delivered, patients have to put the mouth piece of the inhaler in their mouth and breath in forcefully or deeply. Unlike the metered dose inhaler where medication is released by depression of the canister, the breath taken by the patient pulls the medication out of its canister and into the patients lungs. A patient who cannot breath deeply enough may get a reduced dose of the asthma medication. Dry powder inhalers should be stored in a place free of humidity, to avoid clumping of the powder. They are available as powder disk inhalers, single-dose dry powder disk inhaler and as dry powder tube inhalers.
References
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology : American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
- Mayo Clinic: Asthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?
- "Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide By Harvard Medical School"; Anthony L. Komaroff; 2004
- "Basic Guide to Medical Emergencies in the Dental Practice" Philip Jevon; 2010
- "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Asthma: A Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Plan for You and Your Family"; Christopher H. Fanta, Lynda M. Cristiano, Kenan E. Haver; 2003
