How to use a spacer with your inhaler?
How to use an inhaler - with spacer
- Getting Ready. If you have not used the inhaler in a while, you may need to prime it. ...
- Breathe in Slowly. Put the spacer between your teeth and close your lips tightly around it. ...
- Hold Your Breath. Take the spacer out of your mouth. ...
- Keep Your Inhaler Clean. ...
- Replacing Your Inhaler. ...
- Storing Your Inhaler. ...
How to use a metered dose inhaler with a spacer?
To use the inhaler with the spacer:
- Stand or sit up straight.
- Breathe all of the air out of your lungs.
- Put the spacer into your mouth between your teeth. ...
- Press the inhaler down once to release a spray of medicine. ...
- Just after the mist fills the spacer, breathe in through your mouth slowly for about 5 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds. ...
- Take the spacer out of your mouth. ...
Why use spacers with inhalers?
Using a spacer means:
- more medication is delivered to your lungs making it more effective
- reduced side effects from inhaled steroids in prevented medications because less medication is deposited in your mouth and throat
- dosing is easier as you don’t need to coordinate pressing your puffer and breathing in at the same time
Why use a spacer with rescue inhaler?
A spacer gives someone more time to use the inhaler, making the process simpler. It reduces the need for coordination when pressing the inhaler and breathing in the medicine. Spacers extend the ...
What is the benefit of using a spacer with an inhaler?
Inhalers spray the medicine out so that you can breathe it deep into the lungs. A spacer, or holding chamber, is an attachment that should always be used with your inhaler. The spacer holds the medicine in place so you can breathe it in easier.
What happens if you use an inhaler without a spacer?
If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach, instead of your lungs, where it works best. The spacer acts as a holding chamber where the medicine sits as a fine mist that you can then breathe in very slowly.
What is the function of the spacer?
A spacer is a device that is placed on the mouthpiece of your quick-relief inhaler. When used, a spacer creates "space" between your mouth and the medicine. This space helps the medicine break into smaller droplets. The smaller droplets can move easier and deeper into your lungs when you breathe in your medicine.
When should a patient use a spacer?
A spacer is recommended for any child who has difficulty squeezing the canister and inhaling at the right time (particularly children less than five to six years). Spacers are recommended for all children who use inhaled glucocorticoids.
How many times do you breathe with a spacer?
The spacer connects to the mouthpiece. The inhaled medicine goes into the spacer tube first. Then you take two deep breaths to get the medicine into your lungs. Using a spacer wastes a lot less medicine than spraying the medicine into your mouth.
How long do you breathe in a spacer?
Press the inhaler once only — one puff at a time into the spacer. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the spacer mouthpiece and hold your breath for 5-10 seconds OR take 2-6 normal breaths, keeping the spacer in your mouth all of the time.
Which patient using an inhaler would benefit most from using a spacer?
The spacer chamber suspends these particles until you or your child breathes in, making it easier to get the medication into the lungs. These devices are recommended for children who have trouble coordinating breathing and using an inhaler the way they should, especially those younger than 5 or 6.
Which inhaler requires a spacer?
Which inhalers need a spacer/VHC? All quick-relief inhalers, like ProAir® and Proventil® should be used with a spacer/VHC, and many of the long-term controller medications need them, too.
Are asthma spacers effective?
Using a spacer with your reliever medicine in an asthma flare-up is as effective as or even better than using a nebuliser. It's faster, easier, and less likely to cause side effects.
What happens if a non asthmatic uses an inhaler?
Is it safe for me to use an inhaler if I don't have asthma? Yes. The aim of asthma medications is to relax the airways and reduce inflammation to allow more air intake. Bearing this in mind, it is possible to use an inhaler without being diagnosed with asthma.
When can I drink water after using an inhaler?
It is generally safe to drink water after using a Ventolin inhaler. After using your inhaler, it is important to rinse your mouth and drink a sip of water. If you are using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it is time to contact your doctor.
What happens if a non asthmatic uses an inhaler?
Is it safe for me to use an inhaler if I don't have asthma? Yes. The aim of asthma medications is to relax the airways and reduce inflammation to allow more air intake. Bearing this in mind, it is possible to use an inhaler without being diagnosed with asthma.
Can I use an inhaler if I have shortness of breath?
How and when to use your inhaler. Only use your salbutamol inhaler when you need it. This may be when you notice symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, or when you know that you are going to do an activity that can make you breathless, for example climbing stairs or sport.
How do you use an inhaler for a cough?
Open your mouth and breathe in slowly and deeply (like yawning), and at the same time firmly press down once on the top of the canister. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. If you are supposed to use more than one puff, wait 1 minute before inhaling the second puff.
What Is A Metered-Dose inhaler and A Spacer?
A metered-dose inhaler is a handheld device that gives you a dose of medicine as a mist. You breathe the medicine deep into your lungs to open your...
How Do I Use My inhaler With A Spacer?
Practice using your inhaler and spacer. Your medicine will work best if you use them correctly. The steps below will help you use your inhaler and...
How Do I Care For My inhaler and Spacer?
Pull your inhaler and mouthpiece apart. Put the caps back on both. Clean your spacer and inhaler at least weekly. Remove the canister from your inh...
When Should I Seek Immediate Care?
1. Your lips or nails turn blue or gray. 2. The skin between your ribs or around your neck pulls in with every breath. 3. You feel short of breath,...
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. You have to take more puffs from the inhaler than directed, in order to get relief. 2. You run out of medicine before your next refill is due. 3...
Why use a spacer with an inhaler?
Benefits of using a spacer with an inhaler include: A spacer gives someone more time to use the inhaler , making the process simpler. It reduces the need for coordination when pressing the inhaler and breathing in the medicine. Spacers extend the amount of time the inhaler takes to deliver medicine.
What is a spacer in a medicine?
A spacer is a plastic tube that has a mouthpiece on one end. On the other end, a person can attach their inhaler. The inhaler is a device that delivers puffs of medication into the air so a person can breathe in the medicine. Using a spacer extends the amount of time it takes for the medicine to enter the lungs.
How to use a spacer?
The following are the steps for using most inhalers and spacers: 1 Inspect the inhaler, spacer, and mouthpiece to make sure there is enough medicine left and for any dirt or debris. 2 Sit or stand with your back straight, keeping your head in a normal position — not too far backward or forward — before and during delivering the medicine. 3 Exhale as much air as possible from your lungs. 4 Spray one puff of medicine and inhale slowly over about 3–5 seconds, sealing your mouth tightly around the inhaler so air cannot escape. If you hear a whistling noise when you inhale, you are breathing in too fast. 5 Hold your breath for 10 seconds, counting in your head or using a timer on your watch or phone. 6 Remove the inhaler from your mouth and exhale. 7 Repeat by taking as many puffs as your doctor prescribes. Wait about 1 minute between puffs if using inhalers that contain albuterol, such as Ventolin or ProAir. 8 Rinse out your mouth with water if you use an inhaled corticosteroid. This reduces the likelihood you will get an oral infection.
How does a spacer work?
Using a spacer extends the amount of time it takes for the medicine to enter the lungs. It also gives a person more time to inhale the medicine, meaning it can enter the lungs more effectively. The spacer also concentrates the medicine into a tube, which prevents it from escaping into the air.
Why do people use spacers?
People inhale a greater concentration of medication into the lungs. Using a spacer reduces the risk of side effects, such as oral thrush, that can occur when using an inhaler that contains corticosteroids. If a person is concerned that using their inhaler without a spacer is not delivering their medications effectively, ...
How to get medicine out of your lungs?
Sit or stand with your back straight, keeping your head in a normal position — not too far backward or forward — before and during delivering the medicine. Exhale as much air as possible from your lungs.
How to breathe in medicine fast?
Hold your breath for 10 seconds, counting in your head or using a timer on your watch or phone.
How does a VHC work?
This allows the VHC to be used with tidal breathing as well as with a single, deep inspiration. A significant proportion (15 out of 80 in the quoted study) of very young children (<24 months of age) is unable to generate sufficient (subatmospheric) inspiratory pressure to open the unidirectional valve of various commercially available VHCs [27]. This ability should be examined before they are prescribed. Valves may become jammed if soiled or damaged, a problem easily detected and possibly solved by cleaning or replacement of the device, provided that the patient is aware.
What is a spacer in a pMDI?
The concept of activating the pMDI into a spacer (an additional reservoir placed between the mouthpiece of the pMDI and the mouth of the patient) or a valved holding chamber (VHC) (a reservoir with a one-way valve permitting airflow into, but not out of, the patient's mouth) prior to inhalation was developed in the 1950s [3, 4] to address some, but not all, of the problems and potentially critical errors when using a pMDI. Use of a spacer/VHC slows down the aerosolised particles emitted from the pMDI, which may further increase lung deposition of the respirable fine particles, although the clinical significance of this effect is not well established. It certainly significantly filters out and thereby reduces oropharyngeal deposition of the larger particles emitted from a pMDI, even with “perfect” technique [5].
What is a small volume spacer?
Small-volume spacers (up to 100 mL) usually are nonvalved, tube-like extensions of the mouthpiece of the pMDI. They are least cumbersome but also least likely to obviate the need for additional coordination between actuation of the pMDI and commencement of inhalation on the part of the patient.
Why is volume important in spacers?
Why else may volume of the spacer/VHC be important? For one thing, it determines the number of breaths necessary to empty it, which is important in small children (generating tidal breaths of 10 mL·kg−1body weight). Spacer/VHC size does not affect fine particle fraction [23] but may influence the aerosol profile and thereby the variability of the particle content of the emitted dosage with time during inhalation [24, 25]. In a large-volume spacer/VHC, the particle cloud becomes static prior to inhalation, providing evenly distributed delivery of the aerosol throughout the inhalation. In a small-volume spacer, the particle cloud remains turbulent and may deliver an initial “burst” of concentrated aerosol followed by comparatively aerosol-free air. Thus, while the delivery of all of the particles from a single pMDI actuation is more vulnerable to reduction by insubstantial inhalation using a large-volume, as compared with a small-volume, spacer/VHC [26], a large-volume device may target the entire bronchial tree in a more uniform fashion [24].
When was the pressurised metered dose inhaler invented?
Development of the pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) in the mid-1950s paved the way for widespread, personalised delivery of topical inhaled therapy for the pharmacological management of obstructive airways diseases (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), which has since proved its worth in terms of benefit/risk ratio and tolerability. An important weakness of pMDI devices, however, is their propensity to be used suboptimally or incorrectly [1], a problem that has been recognised since their inception and that is unfortunately still prevalent today. Incorrect pMDI usage may have knock-on effects on efficacy, safety and patient compliance.
How many times should I shake my PMDI?
2) Shake the pMDI five times and remove its cap.
Can a PMDI be used for inhalation?
All patients using a pMDI to take inhaled medications should be advised to use a spacer/VHC for both regular and emergency medications, and in particular those patients who are poor at coordinating activation of the pMDI with inhalation. This includes children using a pMDI (using a face mask below the age of 3 years) [6], the elderly and infirm, and those with compromised comprehension or manual dexterity [7]. Such patients can be given their medication by their family members or care givers using the pMDI–spacer/VHC combination.
How does inhaled medicine reach deep into lungs?
The best way an inhaled medicine will reach deep into your child’s lungs (where the actual problem with asthma is) is by using an ánti-static valved holding chamber’, simply called the spacer.
What is a spacer for a child?
A spacer resembles a cylindrical tube creates “space” between your child’s mouth and the medicine. This space helps the medicine break into smaller droplets which can move easier and deeper into the lungs and therefore works very well to help your child breathe better.
What is antistatic coating?
The anti-static coating helps keep the medicine from sticking to the sides of the chamber. There are several types of spacers to choose from and your doctor and respiratory therapist can help identify the correct size and mouthpiece or mask that fits best for your child.
Can a child use a spacer inhaler?
Many daycare teachers and school nurses know how to use the spacer device. A school aged child can use the inhaler with spacer independently after practicing good technique. Also spacers are available in most pharmacies and are often covered by medical insurance.
Can asthma be given to kids?
These can be given via a nebulizer and also via the metered dose inhaler. Yes, the metered dose inhaler can be used in young kids too!
Can a metered dose inhaler be used in a nebulizer?
Yes, the metered dose inhaler can be used in young kids too! These are so convenient, portable, take only a few minutes to administer and many research studies have shown that they work equally as well as the nebulizer machine. But there is one important fact to note.
Is asthma a chronic illness?
Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses of childhood. As a lung specialist, I often diagnose a child to have asthma based on a careful analysis of the history provided by the family, a thorough physical examination and some special breathing tests which help me prescribe the correct medicines for your child.
What is a metered-dose inhaler and a spacer?
A metered-dose inhaler is a handheld device that gives you a dose of medicine as a mist. You breathe the medicine deep into your lungs to open your airways. A spacer is a tube that attaches to the mouthpiece of your metered-dose inhaler. The spacer helps make your inhaler easier to use. It also helps get the medicine into your lungs better. Your medicine stays in the spacer for a short amount of time. This allows you to breathe one deep breath. You can also breathe in and out at a normal rate up to 5 times. Your healthcare provider will teach you how to use your inhaler and spacer.
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
You have to take more puffs from the inhaler than directed, in order to get relief.
How to clean a spacer and mouthpiece?
Pull your inhaler and mouthpiece apart. Put the caps back on both. Clean your spacer and inhaler at least weekly. Remove the canister from your inhaler before cleaning. Wash your spacer and inhaler with warm soapy water. Rinse and allow to air dry. Make sure both are completely dry before using.
How to mix a spacer inhaler?
Put the spacer onto the inhaler. Shake the inhaler to mix the medicine. Hold the inhaler upright, with the mouthpiece of the spacer pointing towards your mouth. Keep your mouth away from the mouthpiece, and breathe out fully to clear your lungs. Place the mouthpiece between your lips.
How to use a spacer and inhaler correctly?
The steps below will help you use your inhaler and spacer correctly: Remove the caps from your inhaler and spacer. Check to make sure there is nothing in the mouthpiece that could block the medicine from coming out. Put the spacer onto the inhaler.
What is a spacer in a metered dose inhaler?
A spacer is a tube that attaches to the mouthpiece of your metered-dose inhaler. The spacer helps make your inhaler easier to use. It also helps get the medicine into your lungs better. Your medicine stays in the spacer for a short amount of time. This allows you to breathe one deep breath.
How to breathe in a mask?
Hold the mask firmly to your face. Press down the canister and breathe in slowly. This helps the medicine get into your lungs. Make sure to breathe in within 2 seconds of pressing down the canister . Hold your breath for at least 5 seconds.
How to clean a medicine spray inhaler?
First, remove the metal canister from the L-shaped plastic mouthpiece. Rinse only the mouthpiece and cap in warm water. Let them air-dry overnight.
How to stop side effects from inhaling meds?
You do not need to wait a minute between puffs for other medicines. Put the caps back on the inhaler and spacer. After using your inhaler, rinse your mouth with water, gargle, and spit. Do not swallow the water. This helps reduce side effects from your medicine.
What happens if you use an inhaler wrong?
If you use your inhaler the wrong way, less medicine gets to your lungs. A spacer device will help. The spacer connects to the mouthpiece. The inhaled medicine goes into the spacer tube first. Then you take two deep breaths to get the medicine into your lungs.
How to breathe in a spacer?
Expand Section. Put the spacer between your teeth and close your lips tightly around it. Keep your chin up. Start breathing in slowly through your mouth. Spray one puff into the spacer by pressing down on the inhaler. Keep breathing in slowly. Breathe as deeply as you can.
How to take spacers?
Take the spacer out of your mouth. Hold your breath as you count to 10, if you can. This lets the medicine reach deep into your lungs. Pucker your lips and slowly breathe out through your mouth. If you are using inhaled, quick-relief medicine (beta-agonists), wait about 1 minute before you take your next puff.
Do inhalers come with counters?
Most inhalers come with counters on the canister. Keep an eye on the counter and replace the inhaler before you run out of medicine. DO NOT put your canister in water to see if it is empty. This does not work.
Can you use an inhaler if it is too cold?
Store your inhaler at room temperature. It may not work well if it is too cold. The medicine in the canister is under pressure. So make sure not to get it too hot or puncture it.
What is a spacer in an inhaler?
It is important for everyone to use a spacer each time they use their inhaler. A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of your inhaler. If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach, instead of your lungs, where it works best. The spacer acts as a holding chamber where ...
Where does the medicine end up in your mouth?
A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of the inhaler, like this. If you just use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine will end up in your mouth or in your stomach, instead of inside your lungs where it works best.
Can a teenager use a spacer?
Older children and teenagers can often use a spacer with a mouthpiece. With a little practice, spacers are very easy to use. You do have to remember to still breathe in very slowly, and then hold your breathe at the end to make sure all the medicine gets deposited inside your lungs.
Is spacer easy to use?
With a little practice, spacers are very easy to use.
How do you use a spacer in an inhaler?
Inhalers spray the medicine out so that you can breathe it deep into the lungs. A spacer, or holding chamber, is an attachment that should always be used with your inhaler. The spacer holds the medicine in place so you can breathe it in easier. It is important for everyone to use a spacer each time they use their inhaler. A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of your inhaler. If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach, instead of your lungs, where it works best.
How does an inhaler work?
The patient places the inhaler in their mouth and presses on it to release the aerosol. A slow deep breath is taken to allow the delivery of the aerosol to the lungs.
How can asthma be cured?
While asthma cannot be cured, it can be easily managed with the help of medications through inhalers. Inhalers are considered to be the fastest way as a rescue measure and the safest way for long-term control of the condition. Since the medication from the inhaler directly goes to the lungs, it can be much more effective and have a lower risk of side effects compared to oral medication. Some of the different inhaler types include Metered-
Why is it important to use a spacer?
There are several types of spacers and they should have instructions on how to use properly and washing instructions. Cleaning the spacer is very important because the purpose is to get the medication into your lungs, obviously you would not want bacterial or other microbials reaching that area.
What is a spacer in a quick relief inhaler?
A spacer is a device that is placed on the mouthpiece of your quick relief inhaler. When used, a spacer creates “space” between your mouth and the medicine. This space helps the medicine break into smaller droplets. The smaller droplets can move easier and deeper into your lungs when you breathe in your medicine.
Where is the inhaler inserted?
The inhaler is inserted on one end of the spacer while the other end is held in the patient’s mouth.
What is a valved holding chamber?
A valved holding chamber is a type of spacer that includes a one-way valve at the mouthpiece. This device does more than provide “space” between your mouth and the medicine. It also traps and holds your medicine, which gives you time to take a slow, deep breath. This allows you to breathe in all of the medicine.
Why not use a nebuliser?
All the latest research shows that a puffer with spacer works just as well as a nebuliser for treating asthma symptoms, including during an asthma attack. A puffer with spacer is also simpler, cheaper and handier, is much more portable, and has fewer side-effects.
Why do you need a spacer for puffers?
A spacer can also make it easier to coordinate breathing in and pressing your puffer.
How often should you check your spacer?
Your spacer should be checked by your pharmacist, nurse or asthma educator every 6–12 months to check the structure is intact (e.g. no cracks) and the valve is working properly.
How to get a medicine stick to the side of a mouthpiece?
Wash all the parts in clean warm water with liquid dishwashing detergent. Allow the parts to air dry without rinsing – drying with a cloth or paper towel can result in static building up on the inside of the spacer, which makes the medication stick to the sides. Wipe the mouthpiece clean of detergent, if needed.
How old do you have to be to wear a mask?
all children – kids aged under 4–5 years will need a mask attached
Do you need to wash a spacer before using it?
New spacers (e.g. Able Spacer Universal, Breath-A-Tech, Volumatic) also need to be washed before you use them for the first time. If a new spacer has to be used immediately, you can ‘prime’ the spacer by firing at least multiple (at least 10) puffs into it to begin with to help reduce the static build-up inside.
Do spacers need to be primed?
Spacers made from antistatic polymers (e.g. Able A2A, AeroChamber Plus, Breathe Eazy, La Petite E-Chamber, La Grande E-Chamber, OptiChamber Diamond) do not need to be primed or washed before first use, nor do disposable cardboard spacers.