Taking inhaler correctly

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princess25

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I've recently been diagnosed with asthma and I'm useless at taking my inhaler. I have the charaber but I still see it escaping. I had asthma as a child and I outgrew it but I've got bad again. I used to hold my nose when taking the inhaler to make sure it went down, should I try that again?
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "escaping", but if you're using a spacer (charaber), you really can't mess it up.

Simply attach your inhaler to the spacer, empty your lungs, seal your lips around the mouthpiece of the spacer, press the inhaler, and breathe in steadily and deeply. The particles that need to get to your lungs are very small (what you're seeing is probably the propellant discharge) and will be forced into your lungs when you breathe in.

Don't worry about holding your nose (it won't help), just follow the instructions and try not to worry about messing it up.
 
Thanks! I think I was imagining seeing it escape. I can breathe much, much better, so it must be working. ;)
 
Does using a spacer actually help more medicine get into your lungs? The inhalers I use are MDIs and I've never used a spacer, but if a spacer would make them work better I'd use one.
 
For newly diagnosed folks, it's great to have one. Getting used to properly using an inhaler can take some doing. I personally don't know any long time asthma sufferers who still use a spacer. And they can only be used with inhalers, not discs (Advair, etc).
 
I have a volumatic spacer, with this all you need to do is insert your inhaler, spray, then breath in and out slowly (tidal breathing), the valve is one way and providing I ensure I have my lips tight around the mouthpiece this works superbly. My Chest physician told me that 86% of asthma sufferers who do not use a spacer of some kind are not getting their medicine properly.
 
cmon friend it is not rocket science, follow the instructions you will do fine.
 
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