ASTHMA - Using Inhalation Therapy

Inhalation therapy is the most widely misunderstood of all therapies used for the treatment of asthma. It is considered by many to be the last resort for an asthmatic patient. On the contrary, inhalation therapy is the most effective, safe and cost effective of all therapy.

The various types of techniques used to administer the drug through inhalation directly to the airways and the lungs is as follows

• Powder Inhalers: This is device used to deliver a measured dose of medicine in a powdered form. The medicine in powdered form is packed inside a capsule, the powder inhaler device is used to break open the capsule and inhale its contents.
• Spray Inhalers: This is the most widely used form of inhalation method. A measured dose of medication is delivered on every actuation of the pressurized canister. The effectiveness of this therapy depends upon the proper usage i.e the synchronization between the actuation and inhalation by the patient.
• Spacer Devices: This device enhances the effectiveness of the inhalation therapy. The spray inhaler is attached to one side of the spacer device. The spacer device acts as a holding chamber for the medication released from the spray inhaler. The patient can inhale the medication very easily and effectively.
• Nebulisers: This device is used to deliver higher dose of medications when the breathing becomes too difficult. The medication is placed in a medication cup and the air pumped out through the machine transforms the medication into fine mist, which is easily inhaled by the patient in the normal breathing rhythm using a facemask or a mouthpiece. This device is basically used in hospitals, nursing homes and even by the patient in their homes.

Advantages of Inhalation therapy

• Smaller dose of medication, when compared to the other oral form of medications like tablets, capsules and syrups, the amount of medication used in inhalation therapy is very small.
• Target delivery of medication, unlike in other forms of medication taken orally, where the absorption happens from the stomach to the blood stream and then to the target area, where the action is required. In case of inhalation the medication is directly delivered to the target area of action itself.
• Quicker action, because the delivery of the medication happens directly to the target area for action, the onset of the action and relief is must faster than the oral way of administration of the medication.
• Safer, because the dosage of medication taken is very small compared to the other form of administration of medications, the side effects are much lesser or nearly negligible, especially if the patient is on a steroidal therapy.