People with asthma need to know how to use inhaled asthma medications properly, such as: inhaler and nebulizer, according to the instructions and the prescribed dosage. This is important so that the drug can work optimally in overcoming complaints of shortness of breath due to asthma attacks.
In addition to taking asthma medications, such as in tablet or syrup form, asthmatics can also use inhaled asthma medications, which are available in the form of tablets or syrup inhaler or nebulizer.
Using asthma medication through inhaler and nebulizer rated as the most effective way to deal with asthma attacks. However, how to use this asthma drug must be right so that asthma attacks can be overcome and asthma can be controlled properly in the long term.
How to Use Inhaled Asthma Medicine
Procedure inhaler and nebulizer is to convert asthma drugs in liquid or powder form into vapor, and send the drug into the respiratory tract directly by inhalation through the mouth.
Both of these tools can be used to treat sudden asthma attacks or to control long-term asthma. Here is how to use asthma medication inhaler and nebulizer:
inhaler
With its small size, inhaler practical enough to carry everywhere. This tool also does not require electricity or batteries like nebulizer. Then, like how to use this type of asthma medication? Following are the steps:
- Take off the lid inhaler.
- Stand or sit up straight.
- Shake inhaler for 5 seconds.
- Tilt your head back slightly, then inhale and exhale deeply.
- put in inhaler between your teeth and close your mouth tightly inhaler.
- Press inhaler quickly to release the drug.
- Inhale immediately after the medicine inhaler sprayed out so that the drug enters the lungs.
- Breathe normally for 3-5 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medicine to enter your lungs.
- Wait about 30–60 seconds before taking a second puff.
The doctor may recommend the use of spacers. This tool is an additional funnel that connects inhaler by mouth. Spacers used so that the drug can be briefly held in the mouthpiece and does not go directly into the mouth, so that the user inhaler can inhale the medicine more easily.
inhaler can be used as a drug with a rapid reaction needed during a sudden asthma attack. The drug that is generally used is salbutamol as much as 1-2 puffs, 4 times a day or as needed.
inhaler It can also be used for long-term asthma control. The drugs usually used are budesonide 1-2 puffs per day or formoterol inhaled every 12 hours.
Nebulizer
If you have asthma, your doctor may also prescribe medication with nebulizer. Nebulizer itself is an electrically powered device that is used to convert asthma medications in liquid form into vapor so that they can be inhaled and enter the lungs.
Usually, these devices are available in many hospitals, but some people with asthma may also have one at home. Types of asthma medications used in nebulizer generally equal to inhaler. However, the use of nebulizer tends to be easier than inhaler, especially for asthma in children under 4 years of age.
The following is how to use asthma medications in nebulizer correctly:
- Put the machine nebulizer in a flat place.
- Make sure the equipment used is clean.
- Wash hands before preparing medicine.
- Put the medicine in the medicine cup. Make sure the dose given is as recommended or prescribed by a doctor.
- Connect the medicine cup to the machine, and the mouth mask to the medicine cup, using the supplied hose.
- When the tool is ready, start the engine. If functioning normally, the device will emit mist or vapor containing the drug.
- Put the mask to your mouth. Make sure there are no gaps.
- Breathe slowly until the medicine wears off. Usually this process takes about 15-20 minutes.
- Keep the medicine cup upright while using the appliance.
Same as inhaler, nebulizer can also be used as an asthma medication during a sudden attack. Usually, the drug used is albuterol or a combination of salbutamol and iptratropium, 3-4 times a day or as needed.
Apart from surprise attacks, nebulizer It can also be used for long-term control of asthma. Examples of drugs are budesonide and formoterol inhaled 2 times a day. It's best to check with your doctor first to determine the type and dose of medication you need.
That's how to use inhaled asthma medication using inhaler and nebulizer. Use medication wisely and according to the doctor's directions. Side effects that can appear usually include feelings of nervousness, faster heart beats, stomach pain, difficulty sleeping, and muscle pain or cramps.
If your asthma symptoms have not improved after using inhaler or nebulizer, maybe the way you are taking your asthma medication isn't right or you need a higher dose. Immediately consult this with your doctor to get the right treatment, according to your needs.