Asthma Inhaler

An asthma inhaler is a commonly used method of treatment used by asthma sufferers. Many of them contain short-acting medication that will quickly and effectively alleviate the symptoms of an asthma attack. They work by immediately getting the medication directly into your lungs.

The invention of these medication devices has had a significantly positive impact in the treatment of asthma. They are small, hand-held devices that an asthma patient can easily carry with them anywhere. Their ease of portability allows asthma sufferers to not have to worry so much about having a sudden attack.

There are two different types of asthma inhalers. The first type is known as a metered dose inhaler. This type of inhaler expels a specific dose of medication in the form of a mist out of the inhaler into your mouth, which is then inhaled directly into the lungs. The medication is pressurized, and is propelled by a chemical when you press down on or squeeze the inhaler. The most commonly prescribed inhaler of this type is Albuterol.

The second type of inhaler is called a dry powder inhaler. No chemical propellant is used in these. With this type of inhaler the individual puts his mouth on the device, and pulls the medication from the device into the lungs by using a quick, very deep inhaled breath. Some people prefer to use this type of an inhaler as it doesn't require the hand-breath coordination that is required by metered dose inhalers. Advair Diskus is an example of this type of inhaler.

There are two types of medications used in asthma inhalers: anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators. Some inhalers use a combination of these two types of medication.

Anti-inflammatories work by alleviating the swelling of the bronchial tubes and clearing out the excess mucus. Mast cell stabilizers and corticosteroids are the two types of anti-inflammatories drugs used in inhalers. Flovent, Qvar and Advair are anti-inflammatory medications.

Bronchodilators work by opening up the air passages by dilating them. They help reduce coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties experienced during an asthma attack. They utilize beta-antagonists which are either short-acting or long-acting.

Many asthma patients are prescribed both asthma inhalers and a daily oral medication to keep their asthma symptoms under control. Rescue inhalers, like Albuterol, which are intended to be used in the event of an asthma attack, are generally not recommended to be a substitute for other medications that are used regularly to control asthma.