Not being able to breathe is the biggest nightmare a person suffering from asthma has, which makes the condition even worse for them. Carrying an asthma inhaler is recommended in such situations because it gives confidence that he will have the support in the time of need.
Types of Asthma inhalers
Primarily there are two types of asthma inhalers available in the market: one is metered dose inhaler, and another is dry powder inhaler. The usage of both these inhalers are different. In a metered dose inhaler, which is the most popular one, the user does not need to inhale, the device pumps medicine, with the help of a chemical, in the form of aerosol in the mouth, whereas, to use a dry powder inhaler, the user needs to inhale. In this type of inhaler chemical is not used, the medicine becomes active when the user inhales. Let’s describe each one of them in some details.
Metered dose inhaler
Metered dose inhaler is the most widely used asthma inhaler. It pumps a specific amount of medicine in the form of aerosol making inhaling the medicine quite easy. The user does not have to force its lungs to inhale. It is done automatically. Metered dose asthma inhalers consist of a canister, which holds medicine in pressurized format. The medicine releases when the canister is pressed. The shape of this kind of inhalers resembles a boot.
Metered dose inhaler also comes with a spacer. It is primarily used for infants and kids. Spacer is a kind of tank attached to the metered dose inhaler, which holds the medicine before entering the mouth. When the pump is pressed, metered dose inhaler pushes the medicine into spacer. Medicine stays there until the subject draws another breath in. At times a facemask is also used with it.
Dry powder inhaler
Dry powder inhaler is compact and easy to carry, but unlike metered dose inhaler, the medicine is sent to subject’s mouth only when the subject takes a deep and fast breath. It does not use any propellant to push medicine in the mouth. In this type of inhaler, the medicine is not released until the user takes deep and fast breath. Because of the physical requirement of its use, dry powder inhaler is not recommended to young children.
Nebulizer
Although this does not qualify as an inhaler and it is not portable from any angle, a nebulizer works well in administering medicine in asthma patient. It is an electronic device that converts liquid medicine into fine mist, which is then pushed in to the mouth of the subject through a pipe and facemask. This is used particularly with young children or patients who need high dose of medicine. It is primarily used in hospital setting, but if need be keeping one in home is always a good idea.
Before buying any of the asthma inhalers you must consult your doctor and take his suggestions on the same. One device that is good for one person may not be good for another, and only a doctor or well-trained medical support staff can tell which one will be useful for whom. Thus, before buying inhalers for asthma, you must consult your doctor.