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Inhalers & Devices
Asthma inhalers are the most important part of asthma treatment. The recommended inhaler devices used by the asthma patients are spinhaler, rotohaler that are used with the dry capsules. Another device is the diskhaler, which keeps sets of powdered medicines into a circular disk. These sets of medicines are covered in thin foil. These also donot require any co-ordination by the user.
List of these devices are:
- Diskhaler
- Accuhaler
- Autohaler
- Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
- Easi-Breathe
- Ventolin
- Evohaler
- Clickhaler
- In-Check Dial
- Aerochamber
- Volumatic Babyhaler
- AbleSpacer
- Peak Flow Meter
The asthma inhalers are recommended best for the asthma treatment because these asthma inhalers have the ability to deliver the drug directly into the lungs, which allows a small dose of the drug to act effectively and is seen to have the fastest results. There are a number of medicines and syrup prescribed for the condition but since the medicine or the syrup is taken into the blood and circulated in the body instead of directly affecting the airways, these are not seen to be very effective. This constitutes to the reason of the inhalers being more popular than these medicines. Apart from that, the medicines causes a number of side effects like pounding of the heart, shaking and trembling of the hands whereas the side effects of the inhaler is much milder than any of these medicines used for the treatment of asthma.
Types of Asthma inhalers
Metered Dose inhalers - These are asthma inhalers in which the drug is dissolved in an organic solvent and is sealed in a small canister under pressure. The asthma inhaler is used by pressing the canister into the plastic casing and inhale the drug while holding the breath for about 10 seconds, this is to be done while breathing. Next step is to breathe out and wait for 30 seconds before you take another dose.
Dry Powder Inhaler - In these asthma inhalers the capsules of medicines are used. The capsule are put into the inhaler and sucked in a deep breath. The capsule in the device is punctured to form clouds of medicines, which are breathed in.
Other Devices for Asthma Treatment
Autohalers - The autohaler is available for drugs like salbutamol, beclmethasone, sodium cromoglycate, oxitropium. In this inhaler, the pressurized aerosol is completely encased with a lever at the top. The lever can be set for breathing in. After the lever is set, the aerosol is automatically triggered and it dispenses the drug. While using this you need to continue breathing otherwise there is a possibility of the drug being wasted in the mouth rather than going into the airways.
Space Devices - The device works by enveloping the cloud of medication and it gives time to breathe in. The inhalers is put in one end of the spacer and put the mouthpiece in the mouth and press the canister breathing slowly and holding it for about 10 seconds. Then you need to wait for 30 seconds before you take the next dose. The device avoids the medicine to be either lost in the mouth or letting the medicine deposit at the back of your throat.
Nebulizers- The device turns the liquid drug into the mist form, which can be breathed in.
Asthma treatment devices usage centers. Certainly, there are several places where you can get familiar with the use of the asthma device and inhalers. In fact, your own physician would be in a good position to give you a demonstration of the use of the product. There are various asthma centers where you can learn more about asthma, get more asthma information and also get familiar with the various devices that are used for the treatment.
Side Effects of asthma inhalers
The side effects of the asthma inhalers are temporary and are seen as long as the drug is being taken. These relievers (asthma inhalers), which are inhaled, will positively have fewer side effects as compared to the other forms of drugs taken. The long acting drugs may have side effects like trembling of the hands, which goes off within a few minutes of the usage of the drug. The other side effects are pounding of the heart, palpitation, and increased pulse rate. Apart from this the inhalers are not addictive. Since the side effects of the asthma inhalers are very mild, these are more popular than any other drugs for asthma treatment.