The Standard Mdi Inhaler
A standard MDI is shown above. The MDI has been used for over 40 years and is used to deliver various types and brands of medicines. It contains a pressurised inactive gas that propels a dose of medicine in each âpuffâ. Each dose is released by pressing the top of the inhaler. This type of inhaler is quick to use, small, and convenient to carry. It needs good co-ordination to press the canister and breathe in fully at the same time. Sometimes these are known as evohalers .
The standard MDI is the most widely used inhaler. However, many people do not use it to its best effect. Common errors include:
- Not shaking the inhaler before using it.
- Inhaling too sharply or at the wrong time.
- Not holding your breath long enough after breathing in the contents.
Until recently, the propellant gas in MDI inhalers has been a chlorofluorocarbon . However, CFCs damage the Earthâs ozone layer and so are being phased out. The newer CFC-free inhalers work just as well, but they use a different propellant gas that does not damage the ozone layer.
What Happens If You Dont Rinse Your Mouth After Using An Inhaler
When you breathe in your steroid inhaler medication, a small amount of steroid can stick to your mouth and throat as it makes its way into your lungs to help you breathe. If this small amount of steroid is not rinsed out from the inside of your mouth or throat, it can cause a fungal infection known as thrush.
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Take A Copy Of Your Childs Asthma Action Plan To Their School
Most parents have enough to do at the start of the new school year, but parents of children with asthma have even more. If you havent already talked with the school or your childs teacher about their asthma action plan, then make an appointment to do it as soon as you can. Provide the school with written instructions and review their policies to ensure that you are satisfied that your childs specific needs will be addressed.
Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing students with asthma to carry their inhalers, there are still a range of local policies and practices in some schools that make it difficult for some children to freely access these potentially lifesaving medicines during the school day.
Organize for an in-date emergency supply to be kept in the nurses cabinet, just in case. Encourage your child to talk about their asthma to friends, classmates and teachers, and to let an adult know if they are experiencing any symptoms.
How To Avoid Albuterol Side Effects
1. Take it as directed. The best way to avoid side effects from albuterol is to use it as directed. Your doctor should discuss the proper dosage and how often you should take the medication. For adults using a metered-dose inhaler, the recommended dose is one to two puffs every four to six hours. For tablets and syrup, the recommended dose is 2-4 mg every six to eight hours. The extended-release formula lasts 12 hours and can be taken twice a day.;
2. Use a spacer. The Medical Associates Clinic suggests using a spacer, which is an extension placed on the inhaler that can slow the inhalation of your medication. Using a spacer increases the amount of medicine that gets into your lungs, and might decrease the taste of the drug in your mouth while also reducing side effects such as sore throat and hoarseness. Another method thats especially convenient for children is by taking a breathing treatment through a nebulizer machine.
3. Supplement with different daily asthma medications. Albuterol is a quick-acting rescue medication for asthma symptoms. You should take it only if you are experiencing acute symptoms and only according to the recommended guidelines. If you find that you are still having symptoms or if the recommended dose does not seem to be relieving symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. A daily asthma medication might be best, with the albuterol reserved for acute attacks.;
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Asthma Control And Management Plans
Every child with asthma should have an individualised asthma control and management plan, regardless of how mild or severe their symptoms usually are.
The aim of all asthma plans is to prevent asthma flare-ups and attacks so that your child can lead a healthy, balanced life. An asthma management plan also aims to minimise the severity and length of any attacks that do happen.
To develop the plan, you and your child will need to work with your childs doctor to make sure you:
- know what triggers your childs asthma symptoms
- understand how your child takes their asthma medication how much, how often and how to use the inhaler correctly
- know what to do if your childs symptoms get worse, and what to do in an emergency if your child doesnt respond to the drugs they usually take.
You should give a copy of the plan to anyone who is caring for your child. This includes family, carers, babysitters, sports coaches and your childs school.
Its a good idea for your child to see their doctor or nurse regularly to monitor their asthma symptoms and treatment, and to review the asthma management plan. If youre not sure about any aspects of your childs asthma control and management plan, you should check with your childs health professional.
How Often Can You Use An Inhaler
How often can you use an inhaler? The normal way for adults and children to use their inhaler is: 1 or 2 puffs of salbutamol when you need it. up to a maximum of 4 times in 24 hours
How often can you use albuterol inhaler?;For inhalation aerosol dosage form : For treatment or prevention of bronchospasm: Adults and children 4 years of age and olderTwo puffs every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
What happens if you take too many puffs of an inhaler?;If you take too many puffs of your Asmol inhaler, you may have a fast heart beat, feel shaky or have a headache. You may also have increased acid in the blood, which may cause an increased rate of breathing.
Can you overuse an inhaler?;People who overuse inhalers report more coughing, wheezing, nighttime awakenings, and more frequent symptoms than those who use albuterol only occasionally. They also stated they had a lower quality of life and higher rates of depression. Overuse can also lead to albuterol overdose, according to the report.
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Will Medicine Help Me Breathe Better When I Exercise
Yes. Exercising, particularly in cold air, may cause airway swelling or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction . Quick-relief asthma medicines, taken before exercise, usually control this. If you need repeated doses of quick-relief medicine during and after exercise talk with your doctor. Your medicines may need to be adjusted. Thanks to these medicines, many Olympic and professional athletes have successful sports careers even with their asthma.;
It is important for everyone, including people with asthma, to be as active as possible for good health. Talk with your doctor about how you can be physically active while keeping your asthma well-controlled.;
Whats The Bottom Line If You Has Asthma
Whether youve had asthma for decades or you or your child was recently diagnosed there are changes in these guidelines that could affect you, says Brooks. Look through the new asthma management guideline and touch base with your doctor to see how the new guidelines can help you better manage your asthma. I would recommend that everyone contact their physician and ask: How is this going to affect my asthma management? What is in here that is going to make a difference that is going to help me better manage my asthma? suggests Brooks.
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How To Tell If Your Asthma Is Well Controlled
Proper asthma control is key to staying healthy with asthma and preventing possibly life-threatening asthma attacks. Everyone with asthma should be able to achieve good asthma control. If you are having trouble staying symptom-free or have any of the signs of poor asthma control listed below, we highly recommend speaking with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
You can take this short quizto help determine if your asthma is under control.
Asthma Attack No Inhaler What To Do
For many people who suffer from asthma, an asthma attack no inhaler situation can be an instant reason to panic. Although the asthma inhalers side effects can be uncomfortable or even dangerous, many people rely on these medications to help them breathe when an asthma attack occurs. Without an inhaler you should know which steps you can take to stop the attack and get your breathing under control. In some cases understanding these tips could save your life if you end up in this situation.
For an asthma attack no inhaler there are a number of things that may help. Breathing exercises for asthma may be learned which limit the inflammation that occurs by minimizing irritation to the airways. Breathing out slowly through your mouth will help calm and relax you some, so that anxiety does not make the problem worse or cause any further constrictions. Continue breathing in this way until the attack starts to subside.
Another possible way to deal with an asthma attack no inhaler situation is to use either an over the counter asthma attack treatment or some strong coffee, if either is available. OTC remedies for asthma contain either ephedrine or adrenaline, and may work in some cases. These drugs are strong though, and can be dangerous. Drinking strong coffee may also help, because the caffeine has a stimulant effect that helps open the airways and relieve difficult breathing.
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What To Do If You Have An Asthma Attack And Dont Have Your Rescue Inhaler
As a person with asthma, I do my best to ensure I have my rescue inhaler with me at all times because having an asthma attack and no inhaler can be problematic. In fact, I have a rescue inhaler stashed in several places in my car, in my purse, at my house. This way if I have an asthma attack, my inhaler is generally within reach. Theoretically.
However, we all know that things happen. Life happens. When I was working as a floor nurse, a cleaning product being used by the housekeeper sent me into an asthma attack.
My inhaler was in my purse, which was in my locker. You would think that working on a nursing unit, Id have an albuterol inhaler readily available, but that was not the case.
It was a very busy night and I thought to myself, Ill answer one more call right before grabbing my inhaler., Ill give one more medication.
Before I knew it, my wheezing was so severe that my manager could hear me from her office and she wheeled me to the ER. I spent the remainder of my shift there before the physician sent me home, prednisone prescription in hand.
I learned my lesson that night I need a back-up plan for when my inhaler is not readily available.
Can Medicine Alone Help My Asthma
Not usually. Although medicines help a lot, they may not be able to do the job alone. You have to avoid the things that cause or trigger your asthma symptoms as much as you can. Asthma triggers can be found outside or inside your home, school, or workplace.;
Improving the indoor air quality in your home is an important part of asthma control. Your indoor air can be more polluted than outside air. Our interactive Healthy Home can show you ways to improve the indoor air quality of your home. A healthier home can reduce your exposure to allergens and irritants.;
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Why Might Someone With Asthma Be Without An Inhaler
However, this doesnât mean that everyone with asthma has an inhaler with them at all times. Often when someone has been living without symptoms for a long time, they may assume that their asthma has gone, and so get out of the habit of carrying one. Some people might develop symptoms suddenly for the first time as an adult, with no preparation. Others might just sometimes forget. Unfortunately, not having an inhaler wonât stop an attack.;
After An Asthma Attack
You should see a GP or asthma nurse within 48 hours of leaving hospital, or ideally on the same day if you did not need hospital treatment.
About 1 in 6 people treated in hospital for an asthma attack need hospital care again within 2 weeks, so its important to discuss how you can reduce your risk of future attacks.
Talk to a doctor or nurse about any changes that may need to be made to manage your condition safely.
For example, the dose of your treatment may need to be adjusted or you may need to be shown how to use your inhaler correctly.
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The Less Albuterol The Better
When you cant breathe, you know as well as any other asthmatic that you will do just about anything to get your breathing back to normal. Asthma attacks can be a frightening experience! Being a doctor that specializes in asthma treatment, the frequency of albuterol use is one of the tools used to gauge asthma control less albuterol means better asthma control! We now have so many asthma controllers to choose fromworking together we can find the right program for your particular type of asthma. ;
That said, if youre experiencing symptoms, its appropriate to address those symptoms with your inhaler. We use the Rule of Two and the Rule of Four not to restrict your inhaler use, but to identify when your asthma could use a little more clinical attention. The goal of that clinical attention is to let you forget about your inhaler for a whileor, at least, not use it so often.
Trust me, your albuterol inhaler wont mind not being your best friend!
If you have questions or concerns about your asthma program, feel free to contact Dr. Bubak at Dakota Allergy and Asthma at .
How Quickly Should Symbicort Work
Asthma: In asthma, Symbicort should begin to improve your symptoms within 15 minutes of your dose, although results can vary between patients. Full improvement may not occur for two weeks or longer after you have started treatment.
- Both the Symbicort 80 mcg / 4.5 mcg or the 160 mcg / 4.5 mcg twice daily doses are used to treat asthma in patients 12 years of age and older.
- If you have asthma and your symptoms improve, your doctor may decide at some point that you can stop taking Symbicort. You may be prescribed a long-term asthma medication that only contains an inhaled corticosteroid. This is a decision only your doctor should make.
- Do not stop using Symbicort without speaking with your doctor first.
COPD: In COPD, Symbicort can start to improve your lung function in about 5 minutes. Symbicort may also help to lessen flare-ups and reduce your use of a rescue inhaler for acute COPD symptoms.
- The higher strength of Symbicort, the 160 mcg / 4.5 mcg strength is used as a maintenance treatment to improve symptoms of COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
If your symptoms do not improve, you may need a dose adjustment or a different medication for your asthma or COPD. Do not take extra doses of Symbicort.
- your breathing problems worsen
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What’s The Point Of Testing Asthma Control
Well, there’s no reason to move you up to the “next stair” – a higher dose inhaler – to help your asthma symptoms if you aren’t using the inhaler you already have. Your doctor may think you need more medicine, but your asthma could be worse because you aren’t taking your medicine every day.1
I know it’s hard to remember to use your inhaler every day. Life is busy with kids, work, school, and traveling. Throw in an unexpected twist like forgetting to set your alarm, staying up late to finish a project, etc. and you may be thrown off your schedule and forget your inhaler.
If you do, be truthful and let your doctor know. He or she won’t be mad, they are just trying to figure out the best medicine for you.
If you have a tough time remembering to take your inhaler every day, is there anything that helps you remember?