Using an inhaler correctly can improve the delivery of medicine to your lungs and help you breathe better. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use your inhaler properly.
Start by "priming" your device (spraying it into the air) 4 times. Now place the inhaler in the mouthpiece of a spacer and close your lips around it. Breathe in slowly and deeply.
How to Use a Round Inhaler
To use a round inhaler for asthma, start by removing the outer case. Hold the inhaler level and push the thumb grip away from you as far as it will go, which will open the mouthpiece. Close the mouthpiece by pushing it back towards you until it clicks shut.
Keeping your inhalers and spacer clean is important to help keep them working properly. Remove the inhaler from the mouthpiece and wipe down the outer surface with a dry cloth or paper towel. Also, rinse the canister and actuator with warm water to remove any dust particles, then shake it dry. Make sure to check the dose indicator on top to see how many puffs are left in the canister.
If you have a Diskus, a medical provider or respiratory therapist will show you how to use it with a spacer. The spacer, which looks like a small cup with a hole in the bottom, holds the medicine until you are ready to inhale. Breathe in slowly through your mouth. When you have finished, breathe out through your mouth until your lungs are empty. Repeat these steps if needed. When you are done using your inhaler, remember to close it by putting your thumb in the notch and sliding it back towards you as far as it will go. The lever automatically goes back to its starting position and is reset for your next use.
How to Use a Spacer
A spacer is a plastic tube that attaches to an inhaler. When the inhaler is used, the medicine goes into the spacer first before it enters the lungs. This extends the time that the person is able to breathe in, improving the chances of getting the medication into their lungs where it is needed most. This is especially helpful for children and adults who have difficulty breathing in quickly. Using a spacer can also help reduce side effects in the mouth and throat like thrush and a hoarse voice.
To use a spacer, first remove the cap from the puffer and shake it well. It may be necessary to "prime" the inhaler before it is ready for use by pressing down on it several times until a mist comes out. Once the spacer is attached to the puffer, stand up or sit upright and breathe out gently. Then, spray one dose from the puffer into the spacer. It is important to let the inhaler and spacer stay upright. Then, breath in slowly through the spacer. If you hear a whistling noise, it means that you are breathing in too fast and the inhaler was sprayed too soon.
After the person finishes breathing in through the spacer, they should breathe out again and then take Round Purple Inhaler away from them. It is important to keep the inhaler, spacer and mouthpiece clean. Static electricity can build up on the spacer and make it less effective, so it should be washed after each use with a little soapy water. It is also a good idea to rinse the mouthpiece with warm water and spit it out.
Having someone watch while the child uses the spacer helps to ensure that they are doing it correctly. A doctor or nurse can demonstrate how to use the device and can help the child learn proper technique. It is also a good idea to have the child practice using the spacer with a facemask or mask. This is usually only necessary for babies and young children, until they can learn how to seal their lips around the mouthpiece themselves.
How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler
Many people with chronic breathing problems, such as asthma and COPD, use a metered dose inhaler (also called an MDI or puffer). The device is small and portable and can help make it easier to breathe. It consists of a canister of medicine connected to a mouthpiece, and it is pressurized so that when you spray the device it delivers a mist of medication into your airways.
It is important to know how to use your inhaler correctly, or it may not work as well for you. You will need to follow all of the instructions that come with your MDI, and you should also ask your healthcare provider for more information about using it if you are having trouble.
In general, it is recommended that you use a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer to improve the effectiveness of your Green Inhaler. A spacer is a plastic tube that holds the spray from your inhaler and helps to deliver more of the medicine into your lungs.
Start by shaking your inhaler and removing the mouthpiece cover. Take a deep breath in and put the mouthpiece between your teeth and above your tongue, making sure that you get a good seal. Next, place the spacer over the MDI mouthpiece and close your lips around it.
Now you are ready to spray the inhaler and breathe in deeply. Breathe in through the mouthpiece for about 3-5 seconds until your lungs are full. After you inhale, hold your breath for a few seconds.
Most inhalers have counters that let you know how many puffs are left. If yours does not, you can count how many times you have used it in a day or week to get an idea of how much is left. You should also clean your inhaler and its mouthpiece at least twice a day with warm water. Be sure to rinse the device well and allow it to dry completely before using it again. It is also important to store your inhaler at room temperature and to keep it away from moisture or extreme temperatures, as this could affect the effectiveness of the medicine.
How to Use a Dry Powder Inhaler
If you have a dry powder inhaler (DPI), follow the instructions that came with it for how to use it. For example, you may need to shake the inhaler and prime it with medicine before using it for the first time. You may also need to clean it regularly. Some DPIs have counters that show how many doses are left, which is important for keeping track of your asthma medicine.
Start by removing the cap, if there is one, and removing or loading a dose of medicine as instructed. Then, with the inhaler upright and vertical, press the small spike buttons at the base of the inhaler to test them. If you hear a click, the inhaler is ready to go. If you do not hear a click, try pressing the spike buttons again. If you cannot get a dose of medicine from the inhaler, ask your doctor to teach you how to use it correctly. Doctor may suggest that use to specialitymedz brand medication.
Before you use the inhaler, sit up straight and breathe out fully. This helps empty your lungs and allows the medication to reach deep into your lungs. Then, close your lips around the mouthpiece and seal them tightly. Breathe in fast and deeply through your mouth for up to 10 seconds as if you were sucking on a straw. Do not breathe out into the inhaler or spit out the powder into your mouth or on the inhaler itself. You may feel a sweet taste as the powder fills your lungs. If you do, it is working.
Some people need to use a spacer device with their DPI. This is a small tube that connects to the inhaler and makes it easier to breathe in the medicine. The inhaler is still sprayed into your lungs, but the spacer helps to keep the medicine in your lungs instead of on your lips or in your mouth. Your doctor or asthma nurse can help you choose a spacer that fits your inhaler. Some children may need to use a special spacer that is smaller than those for adults.
