Advantages and Disadvantages of Inhaler | Inhaler technique | Dr. Sheetu Singh

Inhalers are the most useful way for people with asthma and other lung diseases to access life-saving drugs. If you suffer from asthma or you care for someone who has asthma, here’s all you need to know about inhalers, including how to use them correctly and Advantages and Disadvantages of inhaler. When nebulizers and inhalers were first introduced to the world in the 1930s and 1950s, this was exactly what people with lung diseases, like asthma, had been searching for centuries. It allowed them to take the medicine they needed to control and treat their disease more easily.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Inhaler

Inhalers for asthma are small, mobile devices that administer medication to the lungs. As a result, inhalers quickly became the top choice for respiratory patients. To assist control asthma symptoms, a range of asthma inhalers are available. You can receive the medication you need to prevent or treat asthma attacks if you find the right one and use it correctly.

Inhaler technique | How to Use Inhaler

Inhalers are devices to deliver medications for the treatment of obstructive airway disease including Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are different types of inhalation devices primarily including dry powder inhalers (DPI) and metered-dose inhalers (MDI). It is essential to take the inhaler properly, if not taken properly the medication would not reach the proper site.

Advantages of inhaler

The dose of medication in the inhaler is almost one-tenth of the dose taken in oral form. The response to medication is quick. Since oral absorption is minimal, side effects are not significant for the inhaler. Side effects are thus minimal, the response is quick and better.

Disadvantages of inhaler 

There is some oral deposition that leads to oral ulcers, candidiasis, and dysphonia. However, all these side effects can be avoided if the mouth is rinsed thoroughly after inhalation.

Advantages of a spacer

The spacer is a device to be placed between the mouth and the MDI. The extra medicine deposits in the spacer, thereby oral deposition is very less. Thus, the above-mentioned side-effects are also very few.

How to take a DPI?

1. First, put the capsule in the device
2. Rotate the device till the capsule breaks
3. Blow out completely
4. Take the mouthpiece in the mouth and seal it with lips
5. Fast and deep breath in
6. Hold for 10 seconds
7. Blow out completely
8. Rinse mouth

How to take MDI with a spacer?

1. Shake inhaler
2. Fix it in the spacer
3. Blow out completely
4. Take the mouthpiece in the mouth and seal it with lips
5. Slow and deep breath in
6. Hold for 10 seconds
7. Blow out completely
8. Rinse mouth

Myths and facts about inhaler

• It is habit-forming – FALSE

Truth – It is a requirement not addicting

• It has many side effects – FALSE

Truth – It causes lesser side effects than oral medicines

In this modern era, there is rapid progress, but pollution is also increasing dangerously. Now lung diseases are expanding rapidly due to pollution. In some states of India, pollution has increased so much that the air is not even suitable for breathing. Due to these reasons, lung patients are increasing and the most common disease among them is asthma. Asthma patients cannot depend only on medicine. Asthma can be controlled by making some lifestyle changes, but if you need an asthma specialist doctor, visit Dr. Sheetu Singh.