asthma inhalers nebulizers and spacers Archives - Asthma-News.com

Mask Vs Mouthpiece — Which is Better when you use a nebulizer

Webmaster — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:29:35 +0000

In general, a mouthpiece may be more effective at delivering medication to the lungs, while a mask may be easier to use for young children or individuals who have difficulty holding the mouthpiece in their mouth. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which option is best for your specific needs and circumstances. And some recent studies have found that mouthpieces do a better job at getting the medicine where it needs to go. That said, some people – children, infants and the elderly for example, have issues using a mouthpiece so it isn’t for everyone so masks are a good alternative if you cannot use a mouthpiece.

A mask covers the nose and mouth and is often used for infants, young children, or individuals who have difficulty using a mouthpiece. A mask can provide a secure fit and can be more comfortable for those who have trouble keeping their mouth closed during treatment. SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO AVOID GETTING THE MEDICINE IN YOUR EYES.

A mouthpiece is a small plastic piece that is placed in the mouth and used to inhale the medication. It is often used by older children and adults who can breathe through their mouth effectively. A mouthpiece can be more efficient at delivering medication to the lungs, as it allows for a more direct and focused flow of medication.

It is important to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider and the manufacturer of the nebulizer to ensure proper use and effective treatment. It is also important to maintain the nebulizer and clean it regularly to prevent infection and ensure optimal performance.

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Finally A QUIET nebulizer

Webmaster — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:45:06 +0000

A quiet nebulizer — is there such a thing? So I am need to use a nebulizer at least twice a day and some days 3 or even 4 times so my older nebulizer seemed REALLY NOISY. I bought a new one as a backup because I was so sick a couple of months ago that I was in the hospital and I thought if my nebulizer breaks down, I am going to need to run around and try to find one immediately and most are not on 2 hour delivery so I just thought it was better safe than sorry and this one I got so LUCKY ON. It dispenses really well even when the medicine gets very low and IT IS SUPER QUIET. So quiet that it made me realize how incredibly noisy my old nebulizer was.

REMEMBER TO FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR’s instructions but here are the basics on how to use a nebulizer.

To use a nebulizer for asthma, the following steps are typically recommended:

Wash your hands and assemble the nebulizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Measure the prescribed amount of medication and add it to the nebulizer.
Attach the mouthpiece or mask to the nebulizer.
Sit in a comfortable, upright position and breathe normally.
Turn on the nebulizer and inhale the medication as directed by your healthcare provider.
Once the medication has been fully inhaled, turn off the nebulizer and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions

A nebulizer is a medical device that is used to deliver medication directly into the lungs to help treat respiratory conditions such as asthma. It converts liquid medication into a mist or aerosol that can be inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask.

When a person with asthma uses a nebulizer, the medication is delivered directly to the lungs, which can provide faster relief than other forms of medication, such as inhalers. Nebulizers are particularly useful for young children or older adults who may have difficulty using inhalers correctly.

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My Personal Review of Advair — So far anyway

Webmaster — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 15:36:56 +0000

So I have been pretty open about my asthma struggles and over the last month I have seen my internist who put me on Advair 250/50 and I actually felt quite a lot more energy after a couple of days. Last week I went to see my pulmonologist and he increased it to 500/50 — which to be honest I have not been able to pick up yet as Cigna – my health insurance company — for some friggin reason — says I am not allowed to have it for another week. Like I have to use up all the 250/50 first – STUPID. Anyway so this is a review of my experience on 250/50 and I am still wheezy so I am hoping that the 500 does some more magic because I do feel a lot better now that I did without the Advair and I am now able to ween off the Prednisone that I have been on since February. So now I am down to 5 mg of prednisone a day for the next week and then kicking down to 2.5 mg and then off completely — fingers crossed.

I haven’t had any weight gain on the Prednisone and I have lost weight the past few months but I have had puffy fingers and toes and my blood pressure has been a bit high a couple of times so hoping ditching the Prednisone fixes that all up.

So here is what Advair is all about :

Advair is a brand name for a combination inhaler medication used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: fluticasone propionate, a steroid that helps reduce inflammation in the airways, and salmeterol xinafoate, a long-acting bronchodilator that helps relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe.

Advair is usually prescribed for people with moderate to severe asthma or COPD, who require both a steroid and a bronchodilator to control their symptoms. The medication is available in different strengths, depending on the severity of the condition, and is usually taken twice a day by inhalation.

As with any medication, there are potential side effects associated with Advair. These can include headaches, throat irritation, hoarseness, coughing, and increased risk of pneumonia or other respiratory infections. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Advair, and to follow the instructions for use carefully to minimize the risk of side effects.

You take it in this weird kind of inhaler where it is a powder. BE SURE TO RINSE YOUR MOUTH OUT AFTER you use it — and do not swallow the rinse water. As it can cause mouth issues.

THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE — THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. But I have gone from being very weak and really struggling and very winded when I climb the stairs to now being just south of normal. I am still not “strong” and I am still not “well” but I do feel like I have a lot more quality of life. I can climb the stair and I am now able to walk around more which you can’t really do rehab if you can’t walk or climb stairs — RIGHT. So moving in the right direction

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Should you be using a spacer with your asthma inhaler

Webmaster — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 18:20:03 +0000

Should you use a spacer when you use your asthma inhaler?

Well, this is obviously a question for your doctor but if you haven’t asked your doctor or they haven’t suggested one, you should for sure ask. For me and for a lot of people, this is a BIG YES YOU SHOULD.

Spacers help you to use your asthma inhaler properly. That is the simple answer. The longer answer is that using an inhaler isn’t easy. It seems easy, we all get used to using it and think we have it down but it isn’t easy. It is hard. You have to time your breathing and aim correctly and maintain the correct head posture. And on top of that you might be wheezing or be feeling the anxiety that comes with knowing you need some help with your breathing.

A spacer puts all of that in the right place and eliminates a lot of that timing. Studies have also shown that spacers get more medicine from the dose into your lungs (where you want the medicine) than using just an inhaler. Yes, sometimes you will have to just hit the inhaler but a spacer is something that should be part of the conversation for everyone, especially when you are a caregiver for someone with asthma. The elderly and children may have a harder time using just an inhaler and getting an effective dose. They may end up spraying the crap out of their tongue and being turned off by the inhaler. So try a conversation with your doctor or asthma specialist to discuss adding a spacer.

Here is a link to a great article from the NIH on spacers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6004521/

Here is a spacer similar to the one I use but get the suggestion from your doctor. I like this one because it has a cap so it keeps the part where I put my mouth nice and clean. You can also get a case and keep both your inhaler and spacer together which is a great idea for travel (an extra inhaler is also a great idea for travel since people tend to lose them and show up at the pharmacy in a panic) Remember World War Z when he has to go to the skanky dude who has taken over the pharmacy during the end of the world just to get albuterol. Don’t be him and get a spare inhaler for your trip.

And if you think you need a case – BE SURE TO MEASURE the length of your spacer. Some spacers barely fit in the cases and most need the mask removed. I don’t use a mask with my spacer, I use the mouthpiece but for people who like the mask, it might be a pain to move it on and off just to fit it into the case. Here is a nice case for travel but it is a bit large but I use mine on trips not daily commutes so I want something that can hold some things and keep them dry. I once had my suitcase left on a tarmac in Montreal for what must have been hours because all of my clothes in it were quite wet so I really wouldn’t want my medications or pills or any other medical things to get messed up so a nice waterproof case is nice.

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