Learn how to use the aerosol inhaler, turbuhaler, accuhaler, space with mouthpiece, spacer with mask and easyhaler.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is common in adults and children. In asthma, the airways become inflamed and swollen, and mucus is produced - causing the airways to narrow. This obstructs the flow of air into the lungs.
Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. Whan asthma is not controlled, an asthma attack - which can be potentially life-threatening - can occur.
Asthma treatment includes taking daily inhaler medication and avoiding common triggers (such as flu, respiratory tract infection, smoke, irritants and allergens). Here are steps on how to use various types of inhalers.
How to Use Aerosol Inhaler
Remove cap from the inhaler. Shake the inhaler for 3 to 5 seconds. Breathe out slowly and tilt your head back slightly. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and form a tight seal. As you start to breathe in, press the top of the inhaler to release a dose. Continue to breathe in slowly and deeply. Hold your breath for about 10secs or as long as you can. Breathe out.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
How to Use Turbuhaler
Unscrew the cover and lift it off. To load an inhaler with a dose, turn the grip as far as it will go in one direction, and then as far back again (you will hear a click). Tilt your head back slightly. Breathe out gently away from the turbuhaler. Place mouthpiece between your lips, ensuring a tight seal. Breathe in forcefully and deeply. Remove the turbuhaler. Hold your breath for about 10secs or as long as you can. Breathe out slowly away from the turbuhaler. Replace the cover.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
How to Use Accuhaler
To open the accuhaler, hold the outer case in one hand and put the thumb of the other hand on the thumb grip. Push the notch away from you as far as it will go until you hear a click. Hold the accuhaler with the mouthpiece towards you. Slide the priming lever away from you, as far as it will go until it clicks. The accuhaler is now ready for use.
Hold the accuhaler away from your mouth. Breathe out as much as possible. Remember: never exhale into your accuhaler. Put the mouthpiece between your lips and form a tight seal. Breathe in steadily and deeply through the accuhaler. Remove the accuhaler from your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10secs or as long as you can. Breathe out slowly. To close the accuhaler, slide the thumbgrip towards you, until it snaps in place.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
How to Use Spacer with Mouthpiece
Shake the inhaler 3secs to 5 secs. Remove cap from the metered dose inhaler or evohaler. Hold the inhaler upright and attach it to the end of the spacer. Tilt your head back slightly.
Place the spacer mouthpiece between your lips, ensuring a tight seal. Press the top of the inhaler to release one puff of medicine into the spacer. Breathe in and out normally for 5 to 10 breaths.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
How to Use Spacer with Mask
Shake the metered dose inhaler or evohaler for 3secs to 5secs. Remove the cap from inhaler. Hold the inhaler upright and attach it to the end of the spacer. Place the mask securely over your mouth and nose. The mask should fit tightly with no gap between the mask and skin.
With the spacer in place, press the top of the inhaler to release one puff of medicine into the spacer. Keep the spacer in place and breathe in and out normally for 5 to 10 breaths.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
How to Wash the Spacer
Remove all detachable parts and soak in warm water. Add 2 drops of liquid detergent to the warm water. Fully immerse in warm water for 20mins. Do not scrub the inner lining of the spacer. To ensure thorough cleaning, shake the parts up and down. Remove excess water from the parts. Do not rinse the spacer under running water. Leave the parts to dry naturally on a dry cloth. Make sure spacer parts are thoroughly dry before using. Wash the spacer weekly.
How to Use Easyhaler
Remove the dust cover. Hold the easyhaler upright and shake it up and down. Press until you hear a click, and let it click back again. Tilt your head back slightly and breathe out gently away from the mouthpiece.
Place mouthpiece between your lips, then breathe in forcefully and deeply. Hold breath for 10secs. Breathe out slowly away from the easyhaler. Replace the cover. The dose counter will show how many doses remain.
For another dose, repeat these steps after 1min.
