The Truth About Asthma Inhalers - Commemorating World Asthma Day May 4, 2010

Tips in recognition of World Asthma Day Asthma is not contagious and it is not an emotional illness. However, anyone can have asthma. Reports indicate that 1 in 6 children in California are affected. Asthma causes more missed school days than any other chronic condition, with affected children missing up to a year of missed school days in a K-12 education.

 

What many people who have asthma may not realize is that they are using their inhaler wrong. Blame TV ads for showing kids putting an inhaler to their mouth contrasted by a mother smoking. Blame health care providers who do not take the time to ensure patients understand. Blame yourself. It doesn’t matter where the finger is pointed. What does matter is that appropriate use of an inhaler over an extended period of time will go much further to improve the lung health of someone who suffers from asthma.

 

“I see too many children suffering unnecessarily from asthma. It is important that they follow directions, knowing the appropriate times to use an inhaler and the correct way to use it. Kids, and even adults, that stick an inhaler right up to their mouth for a dosage end up swallowing medication that is designed to be inhaled into the lungs,” says Dr. Jud Schoendorf, Long Beach-based allergy and asthma pediatrician and Breathe LA Board member.

 

Here are steps on how to use a metered dose inhaler. You should be prescribed and use a spacer/holding chamber with a mask or a metered dose inhaler without a spacer. Ask your doctor, nurse, respiratory therapist, or pharmacist to check the way you use inhalers. Follow these steps and go online here for more information http://breathela.org/resources/article/your-asthma-book:

1. Sit or stand upright.
2. Take cap off. Shake the inhaler well and insert into the spacer/holding chamber device. Hold upright.
3. Breathe out normally.
4. Place the mouthpiece about two fingers from your mouth, unless the inhaler has a built-in spacer/holding chamber
5. Press down on the canister (releasing 1 puff of medication only).
6. Breathe in slowly and deeply. Fill your lungs with as much air as possible. Your spacer/holding chamber should not make a noise.
7. Hold your breath and count to 10.
8. Breathe out slowly.
9. Wait 1 minute before taking the next puff.
10. When you are done, be sure to replace the protective cap on the mouthpiece of the inhaler.
11. Rinse your mouth and spit after using an inhaled corticosteroid.
12. Wash spacer/holding chamber and MDI boot weekly with a mild soap and water (e.g, Joy), rinse well and allow to dry. Please be sure your health care provider has instructed you on proper use. Review use with your doctor.

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BREATHE California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA) is non-profit public benefit organization dedicated to protect the breath of life here in Los Angeles County. BREATHE LA was established in 1903 to address the local Tuberculosis epidemic and has over a century of accomplishments. Our mission is to promote clean air and healthy lungs through research, education, advocacy and technology.

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