With the introduction of inhalers treatment for asthma has never been the same.
One of the foremost advantages of inhalers is that they enable asthmatics to deliver medicine directly to their lungs without having to do much of a hard work.
There are a variety of inhalers available to control asthma two of which are the most basic types.
- Metered-dose inhalers
- Dry powder inhalers
Metered-Dose Inhalers:
In this type of inhalers chemical propellant is used to push the medication out of the inhaler. Direct inhalation or more commonly squeezing the canister are the methods used to release the medication.
Dry Powder Inhalers:
No chemical propellant is used to push the medication out of the inhaler. Instead, you are required to inhale more rapidly than you would with a traditional metered-dose inhaler in order to release the medication from the inhaler and have it in your lungs.
Although the use of an inhaler is just one part of your asthma treatment, but knowing what types of inhalers are available and how to use them can help you better manage your asthma and get the most from your treatment.
Medications which are commonly present in inhalers:
Asthma inhalers contain a variety of asthma medications. Some of the medications assist long-term control and others provide quick relief. The asthma medications that are contained in asthma inhalers include:
Corticosteroid plus long-acting bronchodilator which combines a corticosteroid and advair, a long-acting bronchodilator.
Long-acting bronchodilators that have the capability to relieve asthma symptoms for longer periods of time. Formoterol (Foradil) and salmeterol (Serevent) are the types of long-acting bronchodilators.
Corticosteroids are a long term asthma medication that prevent attacks. Flunisolide (Aerobid), budesonide (Pulmicort), beclomethasone dipropionate (QVAR), triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort), fluticasone (Flovent) are corticosteroids.
Short-acting bronchodilators provide relief of asthma symptoms and include pirbuterol (Maxair) and albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Cromolyn or nedocromil are nonsteroidal medications that are used long term to prevent the inflammation.
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