The correct sequence of actions a patient performs when they are using an asthma inhaler is perhaps the most crucial part of treatment with this type of medications. Imagine the effects if a person is applying eye drops on top of their eyelids, or spraying a nasal spray right on top of the nose instead of inside one of the nostrils. It may sound silly, but these kinds of approaches are about just as inefficient as using an inhaler without first learning the proper technique. Let us examine the details of the method in question, step by step.
The Proper Inhaler Technique
Almost any pulmonologist (doctor dealing with asthma and other respiratory disorders) can tell you that not all patients with asthma have their inhaler …show more content…
Sometimes the inhaler mouthpiece can get dirty if the device was left lying around without the protective cap put on. Make sure the device is stored in a clean location with the protective cap put on when you are not using it. At times you may need to clean the inhaler to make sure you can use it safely without the risk of inhaling a random irritant or getting an infection.
2. If you were not using your inhaler for a while the contents of the pressurized container may shift into fractions and the medication will not be released correctly. Make sure to shake the inhaler before each use. You may need to "prime" it by releasing a few test puffs into the air if you were not using it for more than 10 days straight.
3. Using an inhaler when lying down may make it more difficult to inhale and apply the medication correctly. The right position of fingers is also important as it will help release the medication with very little effort and with great control over the direction of the spray. Unless you are sure the device is working as it should, avoid using the inhaler from an awkward …show more content…
One of the most common mistakes patients can make is place the inhaler mouthpiece in an awkward position before using the device. You have to place it inside your mouth, not in front of it, not away from it. The inhaler is constructed in a way so that if you can inhale with your mouth there is no need to create some sort of space through which air can get in - when you inhale through your mouth with the mouthpiece in the right position, the air is supplied through the gaps created between the canister and the plastic casing on top of the inhaler. This way, the aerosol can mix properly and be supplied directly into your lungs and airways. Also, it is important to point the mouthpiece in the direction of your throat, not at the top of your mouth, as it may result in releasing the spray directly above the uvula, denying the medication full access to lungs and springing the gag