How does inhaler work for asthma

A spacer holds medication in a tube between the inhaler and your mouth after it's released. A valved holding chamber is a specialized spacer with a one-way valve to help regulate the flow of medication.

Releasing the medication into the spacer allows you to inhale more slowly, increasing the amount that reaches your lungs. Spacers and holding chambers require a prescription. Rather than a chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler, you release the medication in these inhalers by breathing in a deep, fast breath. There are multiple dose devices, which hold up to doses, and single dose devices, which you fill with a capsule before each treatment. Soft mist inhalers are propellant-free devices that are slightly larger than conventional metered dose inhalers.

These devices release a low-velocity aerosol mist that can be slowly inhaled over a longer period of time than metered dose and dry powder inhalers. Soft mist inhalers can be used with a valved holding chamber or a face mask in children.

Some people can't use a standard metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhaler. Other types include:. Work with your doctor to determine which type of inhaler will work best for you.

Have your doctor, pharmacist or other health provider show you how to use it. Using your inhaler correctly is critical in ensuring you get the correct dose of medication to keep your asthma under control. Talk to your doctor if you're having trouble using your inhaler, or if it seems like you're not getting enough medication. Replace your inhaler if it has passed its expiration date or it shows that all the doses have been used. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Be sure you know how to use whichever type of inhaler your doctor prescribes to you; and double-check that you are using it correctly more on how to use an inhaler below. If you have questions about usage or any instructions are unclear, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. Instead, it contains a powdered formula that you draw into your lungs with a deep, fast inhalation.

Nebulizer If you have severe asthma and are unable to use a regular inhaler, a nebulizer may be a better option. This machine turns liquid medicine into a fine mist that you inhale through a mouthpiece, a mask that fits over your nose and mouth, or into your mouth alone.

Asthma medication falls into two general categories: drugs for quick relief and those for long-term control. Quick-relief medication, which includes short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics, is inhaled with the devices describe above to relieve flare-ups of asthma symptoms. Short-acting beta-agonists Medications such as albuterol , levalbuterol , and terbutaline are the first choice for quick relief of attacks. These drugs relax the smooth muscles around the airways and reduce swelling in the lining of the airways.

Anticholinergics Medications such as tiotropium also relax the smooth muscles around the airways and reduce mucus production, but they work more slowly than short-acting beta-agonists. Inhaled corticosteroids Corticosteroids are the standard treatment, and widely considered the most effective type of medicine to prevent attacks. Inhaled long-acting beta-agonists These drugs prevent the narrowing of the airways by relaxing the smooth muscles there; they should always be taken in combination with inhaled corticosteroids.

Leukotriene modifiers Taken by mouth, these drugs block either the production or the effect of leukotrienes, chemicals that can lead to asthma attacks. Cromolyn sodium Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal drug that prevents cells from releasing inflammation-causing chemicals. This medication is rarely used now. For most people with asthma, managing the chronic condition involves a multi-pronged approach tailored to your symptoms and lifestyle.

In addition, monitor your symptoms carefully. Keep track of what they are, when they occur, and their severity. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: April 12, Medically Reviewed. Treatment for asthma aims to do the following:. Modern inhaler devices for asthma came into widespread use between the s and the s.

Today, inhalers are synonymous with asthma treatment. Nebulizers let you take your medicine while breathing normally, but they're more time-consuming to set up and use than inhalers. Proper technique is essential when using an inhaler to make sure the medicine reaches your lungs as intended.

Here are the steps for proper inhaler use:. The most common is the metered-dose inhaler or MDI which uses pressure to push the medication out of the inhaler. Nebulizers use air or oxygen and deliver a mist of the medication through a tube or mask that fits over your nose and mouth. Dry powder inhalers or DPIs deliver medication, but they require a strong and fast inhalation. Unlike short-acting inhalers, long-acting inhalers do not work on muscle inflammation directly.

Instead, they help the airways relax, allowing more air to pass through. Nov 17 0.