There’s a Right Way to Use an Inhaler. What Experts Recommend

For a person with asthma, an inhaler is a literal lifeline. But not everyone knows how to use them.

Inhalers are often used for asthma, a condition in which the lungs struggle to get enough air absorbed and sent to the body. Asthma affects 8% of Americans, and is even the cause of 9 to 11 deaths each day, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

“It is also known that well above 60% to 80% of patients do not know how to use their inhalers correctly,” said Dr. Y. Michael Shim, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

Here’s how to properly use an inhaler to ensure you can keep asthma and other conditions under control.

Steps to Using an Inhaler

“The biggest challenge is that there are 30+ inhalers on the market in different shapes and forms, each requiring different techniques,” notes Shim. Follow the specific directions from your doctor and the exact type of medicine, first and foremost.

But generally, some guidelines can help most people use an inhaler.

Shim said that everyone should use a spacer – not just kids. This is an attachment that goes on the end of an inhaler, and helps get more of the medication into your lungs.

Next, blow all the way out, then push the inhaler button as you slowly breathe in. Hold your breath at the end to make sure the medicine is fully deposited into your lungs, Nationwide Children’s Hospital advises in a demo video.

Then, slowly release your breath. Follow directions on your inhaler for how many puffs to take. Some physicians recommend washing your mouth out after use by gargling and rinsing your mouth with water.

This can prevent some unnecessary side effects and protect your oral health.

“Typically, poor technique would deposit the inhaler medications either in the mouth or in the vocal cords, causing thrush (a fungal infection in the mouth) or irritation in the vocal cords and hoarseness,” Shim said, adding: “If patients taste medications in their mouths, their techniques clearly need to be reviewed in person.”

Learning About the Types of Inhalers

Some people might need more than one type of inhaler.

“Rescue inhalers should be used only when someone needs extra medication,” Shim said. “We typically prefer that patients not need these rescue inhalers, as our maintenance medications should control asthma well at baseline. Maintenance inhalers are either long-acting airway dilators or anti-inflammatory medications like steroids that patients should take daily.”

Shim noted the current approach has changed a bit in recent years, “allowing some maintenance medications to be used as needed on an on-demand schedule rather than on a consistent schedule.”

Speak to your primary care doctor or pulmonologist for specific recommendations.

Reporting by Alexandra Frost, USA TODAY / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.