Please feel free to call in to us at any time to discuss how to get the most benefit out of your (or a family member’s) Inhalers. Correct Inhaler technique is an essential key to controlling your Asthma. This service is carried out by either our pharmacist or pharmacy technicians who have been adequately trained on the subject. It can be carried out in the privacy of our consultation room.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – which are the small tubes carrying air in and out of your lungs. When you have Asthma your airways can become over-sensitive to certain things which normally wouldn’t affect the airway, such as dust or cold air.
This reaction causes the muscles around the airway to tighten up, making it narrow and difficult for the air to flow in and out. This tightening of the muscles can happen very quickly and therefore making it more difficult to breathe.
Why is inhaler technique important?
Approximately 470,000 people in Ireland suffer with Asthma, which is almost 1 in 10 people. There are about 20,000 Asthma related Emergency Department attendances each year. These are mainly exacerbated symptoms of Asthma which could have easily been controlled at home if the correct inhaler technique was being used.
If you do not use your Inhaler correctly not all of the drug actually reaches the lungs so you won’t get the correct benefit from the inhalers. Many people do not know how to correctly use their inhalers.
Reliever Inhalers:
These inhalers relieve symptoms of Asthma quickly by opening the airways wider and making it easier to breathe.
You should keep one of these inhalers with you all the time especially if you are doing exercise.
These inhalers should only be used when needed eg. If you feel wheezy or breathless to “relieve” symptoms.
If you find you need to use this inhaler more than twice a week your asthma is not well controlled and you should discuss your treatment with the GP.
The most common “reliever inhalers” are:
– Ventolin
– Salamol
Both of these inhalers contain the drug Salbutamol.
(They can often be called “Blue” Inhalers)
Preventer Inhalers:
These are used to prevent symptoms eg. Breathlessness. They help to keep your asthma under control by reducing inflammation of the airways over time. They DO NOT give instant relief.
You should use your Preventer inhaler every day, even if you feel ok.
These are very important in the management of Asthma and will help you have a better quality of life.
The most common “preventer inhalers” are:
– Becotide
– Beclazone
– Flixotide.
(They are often called “Brown” Inhalers)
