InhalersInhalersInhalersInhalers

How They Work and What They Do For You

By: Lauren Coe

Metered Dose Metered Dose InhalersInhalers

Metered Dose Metered Dose InhalersInhalers

•Contains pressurized gas•Most widely used inhaler•Common errors:

–Not shaking inhaler before– Inhaling to jerkily or at the wrong time

–Not holding breath long enough

How a Metered Dose Inhaler Works

•You put your mouth on the mouthpiece then

you press the canister and inhale

How a Metered Dose Inhaler Works

•The propellant system, along

with the dispersal

system, sprays the gas out of

the inhaler into your mouth

How a Metered Dose Inhaler Works

•The most widely used propellant in

MDI’s are CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbon

s)

•When you push down on the

canister it triggers the metering valve, then once it lets out the correct amount of medicine it shuts

off

CFC’s

Metering Valve

Dry-Powder InhalersDry-Powder InhalersDry-Powder InhalersDry-Powder Inhalers

•Contains powder instead of gas

•Have to suck in powder•Doses are premeasured •The types are :

–Accuhaler–Diskhaler

How Dry Power Inhalers How Dry Power Inhalers WorkWork

•Doesn’t contain any propellants

just medicine.

•You have to just suck in to get medicine

•Small children use

them

Preventer InhalersPreventer InhalersPreventer InhalersPreventer Inhalers• Taken everyday

to prevent symptoms

• Contains steroids

• Minimizes risks of asthma attacks

NebulizersNebulizersNebulizersNebulizers• Uses aerosol

vapor• Put mouthpiece

in mouth to breathe in vapor

• Mostly used in hospitals

• Gives large doses of medicine

What Happens During What Happens During an Attack?an Attack?

What Happens During What Happens During an Attack?an Attack?

• Airway closes off• Smaller space

makes it harder to breathe

• Because of an allergic reaction

• Need inhaler or airway will close up more

What Happens When You Inhale The Medicine In Inhalers

•The medicine travels through the airway to the

lungs

•The steroids in the inhaler helps to make the muscles

in the airway open up

•In about fifteen minutes you are back to normal

Spacer DevicesSpacer DevicesSpacer DevicesSpacer Devices

•Used with MDIs

•Holds the medicine while you breathe in

•When you breathe out valve closes

Side effectsSide effectsSide effectsSide effects

• Usually none• Amount of

medicine is small

• Can cause thrush mouth

• Can cause osteoporosis

Why are most asthma Why are most asthma Medicines Taken by Medicines Taken by

Inhaler?Inhaler?

Why are most asthma Why are most asthma Medicines Taken by Medicines Taken by

Inhaler?Inhaler?• Less side-effects• Full dose goes to

lungs• You get

immediate medicine

• Oral meds. Need higher dose

BibliographyBibliographyBibliographyBibliography

The University Of Chicago Asthma Center. How Asthma Works. http://asthma.bsd.uchicago,edu/Printables/AAHowWorksP.htm, April 28, 2004.

MayoClinic.com. Asthma inhalers and How They Work. www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/01081.html, April 26, 2004

Inhalers. www.radix.net/mwg/inhalers.html,

April 26, 2004

About the AuthorAbout the AuthorAbout the AuthorAbout the Author

My name is Lauren Coe. My favorite animals are dogs, horses, and rabbits. I live in Walnut Cove NC. I am 12 and in the 7th grade at Hanes Middle.

Conclusion: Inhalers are Vital to the Asthmatic

Conclusion: Inhalers are Vital to the Asthmatic