Asthma inhalers

Breathing relief

Inhaled medications are the most widely used form of therapy for treating asthma and other obstructive lung diseases. Getting the right dose evenly distributed deep within the lungs is an ongoing challenge. One device, a nebulizer, turns a dose of liquid drug into a mist and delivers it in a stream of air, often through a face mask. But a special device is needed, and the user has to handle the somewhat complex process.

Pressurized metered-dose inhalers are more common. A controlled amount of drug is released from a canister, and inhaled through a plastic mouthpiece. Timing and speed of breath is critical, or much of the drug ends up in the mouth or throat instead of the lungs. This can be especially difficult for children.

A spacer can help get the drug where it needs to go. The inhaler is plugged into a tube so that when the drug is released, it mixes with extra air and is drawn more evenly into the lungs. Another device uses a bag to catch the aerosol drug. The user breathes in and out twice, slowly. More drug reaches the lungs, and timing is not as critical.

Dry powder inhalers are also used. These look similar to inhalers for liquid drugs, but use drugs in a powdered form.

LABELS:
Pressurized drug canister
Head tilted back
Plastic mouthpiece
Inhaler
Spacer
Drug canister
Mouthpiece
Bag

Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd

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Acupressure for asthma
Here are lists of acupressure points for Asthma, on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.

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