How to use Asthma Inhaler?


 

Asthma Inhalers are life-saving for asthma patients. But most patients don’t know how to use the inhaler correctly. Inadequate inhaler technique lowers drug deposition to the lungs, wastes medication, and may lead to poor disease control, reduced quality of life, increased emergency hospital admissions.

Hi,
I am Dr Loveleen Mangla,
Pulmonologist Practicing in Faridabad

And in this video I am going to demonstrate how to use the Asthma Inhaler in the proper way.

So, here is how you should go about it…

  • Remove the cap of the inhaler
  • Shake it 2-3 times
  • Exhale once away from the inhaler
  • Put the mouthpiece between the lips and close the lips tightly
  • Take one inhaler shot and then inhale slowly to ensure the medicine reaches your lungs.
  • Hold your breath for a few moments, at least for 6 - 10 seconds, so the medicine sticks to your lungs.
  • Lastly, exhale once again. You can exhale the air through your nose or your mouth.

COMMON INHALER TECHNIQUE MISTAKES:

1. Not exhaling completely i.e not breathing out first. When you breathe out fully (or as much as you comfortably can) just before taking your inhaler, you create more space in your airways for your next breath in. This will help you inhale the medicine and effectively reach your lungs.

2. Not holding your breath after taking your inhaler. If you exhale immediately after taking the inhaler you will end up exhaling the medicine and it won't be as effective. Hold your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds after your inhaler.

3. Not shaking your MDI before use and between puffs. If you don't shake the canister, the asthma medicine and propellant (the substance which helps turn the medicine into the aerosol form) will not mix together properly and too much or too little of one will be released.

4. Inhaling too early or too late after pressing the inhaler. In both cases, you will miss the medicine and it won’t enter your lungs properly. It is important to time the pressing action and inhaling properly

If you are not sure how to use the inhaler properly, ask your doctor for help.