On this page
- What is an asthma inhaler?
- Metered dose inhalers [puffers]
- Autohalers
- Other types of inhaler [dry powder inhalers]
- Check list for good usage
- Where to get help
- Related information on Australian websites
If you have asthma, you may need to use one or more asthma medications to manage the condition. It is important that you use your asthma inhaler correctly to get the full benefit of the medication you are taking.
Most people with asthma, however, do not use the correct technique.
What is an asthma inhaler?
Most asthma medicines are inhaled through the mouth using an inhaler or puffer. There are several types and the device you use will depend on your age, how your lungs work and which device you find easiest to use. A doctor, pharmacist or nurse should show you how to take your asthma medicine.
Some medicines are breathed in directly from the inhaler; others are breathed in through a 'spacer' — you puff the medicine into a container and breathe through a mouthpiece at the other end.
This increases the amount of medicine that reaches the small airways of the lungs.
Most children over 4 can use a small spacer and puffer. Babies and children under 4 may need a face mask.
[The videos below and more can be found on the NPS MedicineWise YouTube page.]
Metered dose inhalers [puffers]
A puffer, or a metered dose inhaler, is the most common type of inhaler. Using it with a spacer will get more medicine into the lungs.
Tips for correct use
- Shake the inhaler before use.
- Breathe out fully.
- Hold the inhaler in the right position.
- Breathe in deeply as you puff the medicine into your mouth, then hold your breath for as long as possible [and for at least 5 seconds].
- Make sure you shake the inhaler in between puffs.
Video: how to use a puffer
Video: how to use a puffer with a spacer
Autohalers
An Autohaler is an alternative way to take some asthma medicines. The inhaler is activated by breathing in.
Tips for correct use
- Make sure you hold the inhaler in the right position.
- Breathe out fully before you breathe in, and continue to breathe in after you hear the click.
- Try not to breathe out into the inhaler and replace the cap after use.
- Make sure you shake the inhaler in between puffs.
Video: how to use an Autohaler
Other types of inhaler [dry powder inhalers]
There are many other types of inhaler. These include the Accuhaler, Turbuhaler, HandiHaler, Ellipta and Genuair. These inhalers all come with instructions. A doctor or nurse should teach you how to use them.
Tips for correct use
- Make sure you do not tilt the inhaler while you are loading the dose.
- Breathe out fully before you breathe in, and make sure you breathe in with a strong, complete breath.
- Do not breathe out into the inhaler.
- Make sure you close the inhaler after you use it.
Video: how to use an Accuhaler
Video: how to use a Turbuhaler
Video: how to use a HandiHaler
Check list for good usage
- Ask a health professional to demonstrate how to use your inhaler and check your technique.
- Make sure the inhaler is not past its expiry date.
- Make sure your inhaler is not empty.
- If you are using a spacer, make sure it is clean — visit the Australian Asthma Handbook for recommendations on how to clean a spacer.
Where to get help
The following organisations have a range of resources, including fact sheets and videos to help you take your asthma medicine properly:
- The National Asthma Council Australia website for more information and videos, including their My Asthma Guide for practical strategies to help you understand and manage your asthma.
- Asthma Australia for more information and videos.
- NPS MedicineWise YouTube page for more videos on how to use asthma inhalers.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Unfortunately, this does not apply to asthma patients. It is vital that patients understand what is going on in their bodies.Asthma Patient Teaching: Information that Nurse Educators Should Teach
Asthma affects young and old.
Asthma is characterized by an inflammation or tightening of the bronchial tube passages. Though this can be curable, it affects more than 22 million Americans
each year – 6 million of which are children. This is according to the findings of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
A typical asthma attack involves wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness or pain in the chest and profuse coughing. It occurs mostly at night or early in the morning. Recurrence of the symptoms is often a bad news, as it leads to deadly acute asthma attacks.
This is why doctors recommend attendance in nurse-patient teaching for patients to help
them avoid asthma attacks.
Asthma attacks often lead individuals to feel threatened and nervous, thereby reducing their oxygen supply and making the attacks worse. Nurses should then explain the reason behind these occurrences and why they happen.
It is imperative that asthma
patients be educated that they have the tendency to hyperventilate during an attack. This results to low carbon dioxide content in their lungs, which is a powerful bronchodilator.
Nurse educators should show patients how to battle this out and the means at which they can normalize their breathing patterns. Acquiring ample oxygen for their body dramatically improves the situation and their health state in the long run. Studies show that when an oxygen level of 20 is
achieved, asthma symptoms are alleviated – even without taking medications or using the inhaler. These findings were actually certified genuine by Russian scientists who came up with the Boteyko breathing technique [now recognized by the Russian Ministry of Health].
Patients should have a clear idea on proper medications.
Relief from acute asthma attacks can only be achieved when the inflammation of the air passages is reduced, or the constriction of the bronchial tubes is loosened. The
ultimate goal is to foster more oxygen intake into the lungs to give ample supply to the heart, brain and other organs.
Medications can help when breathing exercises no longer work.
But taking the drugs should be taken with caution. Nurses should be able to teach their patients on the proper medications in alleviating acute attacks. If the exacerbation extends for more than 5 minutes, for example, patients should take 1/3 of their prescribed medicine. Breathing exercises should
follow.
If this does not work, patients should take another third of the medication and repeat the breathing exercises.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute does not recommend that the drugs will be taken all at the same time. As such, patients and doctors should come up with pre-defined medication parameters and plans that set the ideal dose to be taken during the attack.
Nurses should help their patients to determine the factors that trigger asthma attacks.
Logically,
something can be avoided by keeping out from those that cause it. This works in the cases of asthma attacks.
Patient teachings should involve an analysis of the common root of acute attacks. This would include poor air quality, cigarette smoke, pet dander and other air-borne allergens, excessive exercise, fatigue, infections, strong scent from cleaning agents, and thick air.
Nurse-Patient Educators should discuss the possible ways on how the patients can avoid these
triggering factors: limiting hours inside the gym, spraying deodorizers, using oxygen tanks, or wearing face masks in crowded areas. They have to make sure that these methods will not drastically alter the patients’ lifestyle. A good asthma doctor strives to help the patients without necessarily overwhelming them.
Laying Out Signs of Acute Attacks
Just as said, acute asthma attacks can be life-threatening. There may be several ways to hamper an attack, but it is a must for the patients
to call the attention of anyone who could call 911 just in case things get worst. Nurse-Patient Educators should then discuss the early signs of a significant asthma attack to allow the patients to call help promptly.
Decrease in the peak flow meter readings, immediate feeling of tiredness, and signs of allergies should raise a red flag. Sudden shortness of breath and profuse coughing should signal the need to take the patients to the nearest hospital.
If you want to
earn your nurse patient educator certification then you need to visit our site.