Why a Spacer Should Always Be Used When Administering Asthma Puffers
According to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), about one in five children will be diagnosed with asthma at some point during childhood. Most children diagnosed with asthma will be able to play sport and be active with the right treatment and an Asthma Action plan. In many cases this will include asthma medication, which is typically administers via inhalation (aka with a puffer).
Unfortunately, we know that 9 out of 10 people do not use their puffers/inhalers correctly.
When using an inhaler such as Ventolin alone, the medication can end up in the mouth, throat and stomach. When using an inhaler with a spacer, more of the medication is delivered to the lungs where it works. For this reason, spacers are recommended for all ages when using an inhaler/puffer.
It's a common misconception that only children need spacers. It is important to know how to use your asthma devices properly to ensure you get the right dose and maximum benefit from your medication.
You can ask your doctor to review your asthma device technique at your next visit.
For more information, check out:
- Kids Health Info fact sheet: Asthma
- Kids Health Info fact sheet: Asthma - videos
- National Asthma Council Australia
- Asthma Australia
References
https://asthma.org.au/treatment-diagnosis/medicines-and-devices/devices/
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Asthma_use_of_spacers/
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