Inhaled therapy Functionality

Inhaled therapy consists of administering a drug through the

respiratory tract. The advantage, compared to the oral route, is that the medication is absorbed directly into the bronchi, which favors a faster local effect. Therefore, it is the preferred way to administer drugs in respiratory diseases, such as asthma or COPD. However, for the drug particles to be deposited in the proper place, it is not enough to use the airway without previous instructions. The following article explains the common steps for the use of inhalers and the particular characteristics according to the type of device.

How to use inhalers correctly?

Remove the lid from the mouth piece or open the dispenser.

Blow out of the device until your lungs are empty.

Place the mouthpiece with the lips around, without obstructing it with the tongue.

Take air through the device (not all are the same; you have to know the particularities according to the type).

After inhalation, remove the device and hold the breath (apnea) with the mouth closed for 10 seconds or as much as possible.

If you repeat a new dose, you must wait between 30 seconds and 1 minute.

When finished, cover the device.

Rinse the mouth to remove any traces of medication that may be left in it.

Types of inhalers

There are several types of inhalers on the market with different mechanisms, so, in addition to following the general instructions explained, it is important to know how each one works to perform the technique correctly. In addition, if it is difficult to follow the steps, you can ask the doctor if the medication is available in another type of device that is more comfortable to use.

Inhalers of pressurized cartridge

They are formed by a cylindrical device where the drug is located and an external casing. To perform a proper inhalation, before starting it is necessary to shake it three or four times and place it in an upright position with the nozzle at the bottom. Then, when you breathe in, you have to do it slowly through your mouth and press the device while continuing the inspiration to fill the lungs. In some cases it is difficult to coordinate this technique, especially in children and the elderly, so it is highly recommended to use inhalation chambers.

 Inhalation chamber

It is a device that is put in the mouthpiece of the pressurized cartridge inhaler. To use it correctly, you have to shake the inhaler three or four times and attach it vertically in the chamber. Then, when the mouthpiece of the camera has already been placed around the mouth, the inhaler is pressed according to the dose that has been prescribed (it is not necessary to perform any extra dose of test). In this case, there is no need to coordinate the pulse while taking air: five slow and deep breaths should be performed and, if possible, do the corresponding apnea; or if the child can not do it as we want, it is enough to keep the camera for 10 seconds while doing normal breaths. In addition, if the child breathes through the nose instead of through the mouth, there are cameras with a face mask to cover both and the corresponding amount of aerosol.

Dry powder inhalers

They contain the medicine in capsules. Before starting the inhalation, it is necessary to charge it according to the type of device. Then, to get the drug out, you have to put it in your mouth and take strong and deep air to fill the lungs. When activated when inspired by it with strength, it is an advantage over the pressurized cartridge to not have to coordinate the technique of squeezing the dispenser and take air, although it must be borne in mind that in dry powder is necessary to catch high speed air.

Nebulizers

They are devices that require an external source, such as electricity, to transform a liquid into an aerosol. During the duration of the session (between 4 and 30 minutes), you have to breathe through the mask, slowly and deeply, and if possible also hold the breath after each inspiration as in the other devices. It is preferable that breathing be done through the mouth to get more aerosol, but if the patient performs more nasal breaths, as is the case of children, there are also masks that cover both the nose and mouth.