Your health is our priority at McCormacks Pharmacy. Were here to inform you on inhaler technique. First of all Asthma is a condition that affects the airways- the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthma, the airways become over-sensitive; meaning that they react to things that wouldn’t usually cause a problem, such as cold air or dust. When the airways react to a substance, the muscles of the tube walls tighten up, making them narrow and leaving little room for air to flow in and out. The lining of the airways can also get swollen. A sticky mucus is produced which clogs up the breathing passages.
With little space in the airways, it becomes quite difficult for air to move in and out and the chest has to work much harder to breathe. The muscles around the airways become tightened quickly; this is the most common cause of mild asthma symptoms.
The tightness can be relieved quickly with a reliever inhaler (usually blue). Gaining control over the swelling and mucus happens more slowly and can need a different treatment. Treatment or management is usually a preventer inhaler. This preventer inhaler is taken daily to allow the effect to build up over time.
The majority of people with asthma are prescribed a daily preventer inhaler to protect against an asthma attack and a reliever inhaler to use when symptoms occur. It is extremely important that preventer medication is taken regularly, as prescribed and even when asthma symptoms are not present.
How Can I manage Asthma?
There are 2 types of Inhalers that can be used in to manage Asthma:
- Preventer/Controller Inhalers, used to prevent the symptoms of asthma occuring.
- Reliever Inhalers, used to widen the airways and reduce asthma symptoms in the short term. They are a key part of treating an asthma attack.
1. Preventer/Controller Inhalers
Controller medication reduces the inflammation of the airways over time and lowers the risk of a severe attack occurring. It does not provide any instant relief of symptoms but builds up protection and reduces symptoms over a longer period. With proper use of their controller inhaler, many people will be totally symptom free and need to use their reliever inhaler rarely.
2. Reliever Inhalers
Reliever inhalers (usually blue) can be taken as soon as asthma symptoms appear. They work quickly by opening the airways wider and making it easier to breathe again. This is carried out by relaxing the muscles of the airways which tighten when asthma symptoms worsen.
Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler and should keep it with them at all times. This is because reliever inhalers are essential for treating asthma attacks which may come on suddenly with little warning. You can also take reliever medication before your symptoms get worse, such as when you’re starting to get a cold or before exercise to reduce the risk of symptoms developing.
It is very important your Asthma Inhaler Technique is correct.
At McCormacks Pharmacy our Pharmacists can:
- Give you feedback on your inhaler and spacer technique
- Review your asthma management plan
- Advise how long to wait between each inhalation
- Advise how and when to clean your inhaler, and how to store your inhaler
- Advise on the expiry date of the inhaler
- Advise on what to do if your inhaler malfunctions
- Discuss signs of an empty device and how to discard of the inhaler