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Learning Center
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How to Use Your Asthma Equipment |
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Proper use of asthma medication, inhalers and nebulizers is key to asthma relief and control.
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| Introduction |
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You
are one of the 10 million people in this country who suffer
from asthma: an upper respiratory disease that affects your
life in so many ways. You begin wheezing and coughing during
athletic events, certain foods trigger your asthma, and you
avoid the great outdoors during high pollen and allergy season
for fear of evoking an asthma attack, not to mention the fact
that you may have taken the preventative and sometimes expensive
steps of dust-proofing your home. As a result, your doctor
has prescribed medication therapy for you through a certain
medical device, and, of course, you want to be sure to use
it properly in order to obtain its full benefits. Proper technique
is key, but for many, just the names of these devices may
sound foreign and look intimidating. Fear not, below is a
list of the most common asthma devices, and the proper ways
to use them.
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| Metered-Dose
Inhalers |
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For
the past 30 years, metered-dose inhalers have been instrumental
in transforming asthma treatment. These small, hand-held devices
can be administered at any time, wherever you may be, by effectively
allowing you to deliver the medicine directly into your lungs.
But in order to get the right amount of medication, you must
first be sure the positioning of the metered-dose inhaler
is correct.
Metered-dose
inhalers can deliver several types of medication. They include:
- Corticosteroids
- Most effective when taken on a daily basis, corticosteroids
are used over the long-term to prevent inflamed airways.
This medication is administered through the mouth, and can
cause a yeast infection in the throat. To avoid this, gargle
with water after taking corticasteroids with an inhaler,
and spit out the water. Do not drink it, as it will be absorbed
into your throat.
- Non-steroid
medications - Also used over the long-term to prevent inflammation.
- Bronchodilators
- Usually prescribed for a short period of time when symptoms
are at their worst to provide immediate relief of asthma
symptoms.
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| Misty
Medication |
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The
inhaler includes a pressurized canister with measured doses
of medication inside. Squeezing the canister emits a fine-powder
mist into your mouth that goes directly into your lungs. To
do this properly, place your lips on the inhaler's mouthpiece,
and squeeze the canister while inhaling at the same time.
This takes some amount of coordination. For many, this sounds
easy, but you'll be surprised to read that many people are
not doing it correctly.
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| Common
Mistakes |
| Some
common mistakes reported with using a metered-dose inhaler include
squeezing the canister and forgetting to inhale at the same
time, while others squeeze and inhale through the nose instead.
Some people are overzealous with their inhaler, and squeeze
the canister twice while inhaling only once. There is also the
issue with inhaling too quickly leaving deposits of medication
on the throat instead of in the lungs. To avoid this mistake,
inhale for at least 5 seconds and hold your breath for 10 seconds
before exhaling. Practice this a few times before actually administering
the medicine. And please, don't forget to take the cap off the
inhaler mouthpiece before using it. |
| How
Spacers Help When Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler |
| A
spacer is nothing more than a separate tube, 4 to 8 inches long
that attaches to a metered-dose inhaler. Its purpose is to keep
the medicine from escaping into the air. Releasing your medication
into the spacer also gives you time to inhale more slowly. The
spacer also decreases the amount of medicine that is deposited
on the back of the throat and increases the amount that travels
into the lungs. |
| Using
a Spacer |
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Spacers
sound easy enough to use, and they are. Here are some tips
on using a spacer:
- Shake
the metered-dose inhaler well.
- Attach
the spacer to the mouthpiece at the end if the inhaler.
- Sit
up straight so that the medicine goes directly into your
lungs.
- Breathe
in slowly while squeezing the top of the canister once.
Keep inhaling even after you finish the squeeze. Continue
inhaling for 5 to 7 seconds.
- After
inhaling, remove the spacer from your mouth and hold your
breath for 10 seconds. Then exhale through your nose.
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| Compliance
is Key |
| There
is a tendency for people to forget to take their asthma medication,
or to use it incorrectly. Many people report that they don't
feel any immediate benefit from their asthma medication. Others
try to avoid the side effects associated with steroid medications.
Your doctor will give you a treatment plan that will benefit
you if followed correctly. Always check with your doctor if
you think your medication is not working properly, or if you
need additional help with the procedural steps of using your
medical devices. |
| Peak
Flow Meters |
| A
peak flow meter could actually save your life and ward off an
asthma attack by allowing you to respond quickly to asthma flare-ups
such as coughing, wheezing, and mucus production. These devices
were created to help you manage your asthma, especially during
physical activity. Peak flow meters measure daily variations
in your breathing letting you know that your body has reached
its limit by the number indicated on the meter. If the number
is lower than your optimal amount, you should stop and rest,
and/or take medication, depending on your doctor's orders. Your
doctor will also be able to tell whether your asthma medication
is working based on the readings of the meter. Many people take
daily asthma medication along with using their peak flow meter
on a daily basis. Peak flow meters are hand-held and portable,
and give you the confidence of being able to monitor your asthma
symptoms before they start. The higher the number, the healthier
you are, so you know that your asthma management plan is working
when your numbers are consistently higher. |
| How
to Use A Peak Flow Meter |
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Peak
flow meters are an essential part of your asthma management
plan, and should be used correctly in order to get the best
results. When you learn to use the peak flow meter, you can
determine your optimal peak flow rate. This is usually the
highest number you'll get in the middle of the day after taking
your medicine with a metered-dose inhaler. Your doctor will
determine which type of peak flow meter is best for you based
on your personal body composition, including gender, age,
height, and weight. There are a variety of peak flow meters.
Your doctor will determine which is the best one for you.
Here
are instructions on properly using your peak flow meter:
- Connect
the mouthpiece to the peak flow meter.
- Set
the marker to the bottom of the numeric scale.
- Take
a deep breath
- Tightly
place your lips around the mouthpiece.
- Blow
into the mouthpiece as hard and as fast as you can.
- Write
down your peak flow rate on your chart. If you haven't started
a chart, it's a good idea to start one now in order to monitor
your daily results.
- Repeat
the above steps two more times, and record the highest peak
flow reading of the three. That is your optimal number.
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| The
Lights Know Best |
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Your
peak flow rates fall into three color zones, or "traffic lights",
indicating different responses to your asthma.
- The
green zone includes peak flow rates that are 80 percent
to 100 percent of your personal best. This is the best zone
to be in, and means that you and your doctor have chosen
the right management plan, and that you are following it
properly. Keep up the good work!
- The
yellow zone indicates peak flow rates that are 50
to 80 percent of your personal best. Yellow means that your
asthma is getting worse, and as with traffic lights, you
should take "caution". Perhaps rechecking your asthma management
plan with your doctor, and discuss changing medications.
You may also want to be aware of your environment - what
is triggering your asthma, whether indoors or out, and how
to change that.
- The
red zone includes peak flow rates less than 50 percent
of your personal best. Red means "stop". When seeing red,
you should stop what you are doing before things get even
more serious. Take a bronchodilator or other medicine to
open your airways immediately. You and your doctor should
have a plan about what to do when rates hit the red zone.
Inform your doctor immediately of your dangerous peak flow
rates and discuss medicines, lifestyle changes, and what
to do in emergency situations.
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| How
to Use a Nebulizer |
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A
nebullizer is very similar to using a metered-dose inhaler
without the luxury of it being a hand-held device. Nebulizers
are prescribed mainly for young children you don't or won't
sit still long enough to get the proper amount of mist into
their lungs. An electronically operated machine, a nebulizer
weighs approximately 8 pounds.
Steps
to follow:
- Plug
it in.
- Insert
the other cord into the machine on one side, while inserting
the other side of the cord into a canister.
- Fill
the canister with either 1/3 or 2/3 albuterol medication.
- Add
a tube of saline solution.
- Place
the cap on the canister.
- You
have the option of using a longer tube or a facial mask,
allowing the mist to directly into the nose or mouth.
- Hold
the canister approximately two inches away from your face.
- Turn
on the nebulizer, being sure that you inhale the misty medication.
Do not turn your face from the medication. Do this until
the mist disappears which takes approximately 15 minutes.
For severe asthma, your doctor may tell you to repeat this
procedure four times a day.
Remember
that compliance is key, but so is knowing how and when to
use your medical devices. They can only help if you use them
properly. Be sure to always check with your doctor if you
have any questions or concerns regarding your asthma treatment
and your health.
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By
Allergy Buyers Club Medical Staff Writers
© Allergybuyersclub.com 2001
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