Asthma Inhalers

For individuals that have been diagnosed with asthma, inhalers have become a literal lifesaver. These small, very compact devices can be used almost anywhere at anytime to supply a measured dosage of very fast acting medication to begin to loosen the muscles that cause airways to constrict during an asthma attack. The medication in the asthma inhalers can be either in a metered-dose type inhaler or a dry powder inhaler. For most people that need an inhaler, it will only be one small part of the patient's overall asthma treatment program, but it is certainly an important one.

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Metered-dose Inhalers

These are small, hand-held inhalers that use specially measured, or metered, dosages of medication that are pushed into the mouth by either the patient inhaling or a chemical propellant that is activated by pushing down the inhaler or squeezing. Some of the newer types of metered-dose inhalers no longer need the canister to be squeezed, rather they are activated by breath and just need to be placed in the lips. When using a metered-dose inhaler it is important to coordinate the propulsion of the medication with an intake of breath to prevent the medicine from escaping out of the person’s mouth or being deposited at the back of the throat. As the squeezing motion is made, the patient needs to breathe in. Metered-inhalers can be used with all types of asthma medications, including bronchodilators, corticosteriods, or a combination of both.

Dry Powder Inhalers

Similar to the metered-dose inhalers, these small devices do not use a chemical propellant to push or propel the medicine into the airways, but rather the patient must inhale sharply on the device to pull the medicine into their lungs. This type of inhaler is very effective in mild or moderate attacks but may not be effective for very rapid or severe attacks where the patient is not able to draw in a strong breath.

Many patients find the dry powder inhalers easier to manage because the medicine is only released when they breathe in or pull the medicine into their air passages. There are several different types of dry powder asthma inhalers, including single dosage disk, powder disk, and powder tube inhalers.

It is very important to follow the instructions on the asthma inhalers very carefully. Most inhalers are used in conjunction with other medications to help to control the onset of asthma attacks. Occasionally, people choose not to use the regular medications and rely solely on the inhalers for relief from the symptoms of asthma. This is generally not a good idea as the single dosage inhalers, and even the multiple dosage inhalers, may not be effective in a very severe asthma attack or when the respiratory passages are too restricted to allow the medicine to enter the passage.

The prescribed daily medications assist in keeping inflammation down so that the attacks are not as severe and the medications in the asthma inhalers are more effective at controlling and alleviating the attack.