4 million. This is the number of French people who suffer from asthma, a chronic respiratory disease which is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi.
This pathology manifests itself in particular by what are called "asthma attacks". During these episodes, the bronchi contract and produce large amounts of mucus, which causes difficulty in breathing.
In adults, asthma has an allergic component in 50% to 60% of cases. The pollen period, which is generally between May and July, is therefore particularly critical for asthmatics.
Asthma: what are the benefits of inhalation?
To cope with possible seizures, people with asthma should always have their inhaler nearby. It is a device for delivering doses of medication directly into the bronchi.
If inhalation is often preferred in the treatment of asthma it is precisely because this method acts directly on the level of the bronchi, which makes it possible to prescribe to the patient a lower dose of drug than if this one was in form tablet or injection, but also to limit any side effects and quickly relieve the respiratory discomfort induced by asthma.
This small device can be used occasionally to soothe an attack by dilating the bronchi, but it can also be offered as a background treatment for asthma. In this case, the inhaler is used daily to prevent possible seizures.
Asthma: the peculiarities of the different types of inhaler
There are different types of inhalers: pressurized metered dose inhaler, self-activated metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler and nebulizer. But what are the special features of each of these devices used in the treatment of asthma?
The pressurized metered dose inhaler must be shaken before use and operated at the time of inspiration, which therefore requires some coordination. The self-triggered metered dose inhaler is automatically activated upon inhalation.
The dry powder inhaler also activates automatically during inspiration, after releasing the dose of drug present in powder form directly into the device or into a capsule to be inserted.
What about the nebulizer? It is a device still different from the others, which allows the medicine to be inhaled through a mask placed over the nose and mouth. Then you usually only need to breathe calmly for about ten minutes to inhale the medicine.
Asthma and inhaler: 3 essential steps to use them properly
Before using these various devices, it is essential to read the instructions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice, as some of them have other specificities. It is also important to know the three essential steps common to the use of the most common devices such as pressurized and self-triggered metered dose inhalers, as well as dry powder inhalers, namely:
- exhale deeply. The objective? Emptying the lungs to prepare them for a large dose of medication;
- inspire thoroughly while operating the inhaler at the same time. In order for the medicine to reach the bronchi in sufficient quantity, the inspiration must be as long and as deep as possible;
- block his breathing for 10 seconds while the medication takes effect.
Source: the website ofHealth Insurance and D'EurekaSanté by Vidal.
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