Inhalers spray the medicine out so that you can breathe it deep into the lungs. A spacer, or holding chamber, is an attachment that should always be used with your inhaler. The spacer
holds the medicine in place so you can breathe it in easier
.
What is the function of the spacer?
A spacer (also sometimes called a holding chamber) is
a device that makes using an inhaler easier and more effective
. It attaches to the inhaler on one end and to a mouthpiece or mask on the other end.
Do inhaler work better with spacers?
A
spacer gives someone more time to use the inhaler
, making the process simpler. It reduces the need for coordination when pressing the inhaler and breathing in the medicine. Spacers extend the amount of time the inhaler takes to deliver medicine. This means the lungs absorb the medicine slower and more smoothly.
What age range should use a spacer with an inhaler?
A spacer is recommended for any child who has difficulty squeezing the canister and inhaling at the right time (particularly children
less than five to six years
).
Why do kids use a spacer with an inhaler?
What is a spacer? A spacer
slows down the medicine delivered from a metered-dose inhaler
. This way the medicine stays in the spacer and your child can breathe it into her lungs. Without a spacer, the medicine sprays directly into your child’s mouth and throat, and less of it reaches the lungs.
Is an Aerochamber the same as a spacer?
A holding chamber or “spacer”
, such as an Aerochamber® helps your child use a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Metered Dose Inhalers are used to get medicine directly into the lungs where it is needed. This allows the medicine to work quicker than the same type of medicine taken by liquid or pill form.
What happens if I use my inhaler too much?
What if I use too much? If you use your inhaler too much, you may notice that
your heart beats more quickly than normal and that you feel shaky
. These side effects are not dangerous, as long as you do not also have chest pain. They usually go away within 30 minutes or a few hours at most.
Can you use an inhaler without a spacer?
If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then
most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach
, instead of your lungs, where it works best. The spacer acts as a holding chamber where the medicine sits as a fine mist that you can then breathe in very slowly.
Which inhaler spacer is best?
6) Different types of spacer
It is better to use a
small volume spacer than no spacer at all
. Using the small spacer with the Metered Dose Inhaler or “puffer” inhaler gets about 60% of the inhaled medicine into the child’s lungs.
What age can you stop using a spacer?
Spacer devices can be used by children of any age, but are particularly recommended for those under the age of
five years
. Wash your hands. Remove the cover from the inhaler mouthpiece and check for any obstruction. Hold the inhaler upright and give it a shake.
Can a 6 year old use an inhaler without a spacer?
It is recommended that
children of any age use
a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer, but if a spacer is not available medicine can still be delivered through an MDI without one. Children under age 9 usually need help using an MDI properly.
Are inhalers with spacers just as effective as nebulizers?
Metered-dose inhalers with a spacer (MDI/S) are as good as, or better than,
nebulizers
for children with asthma.
Who should use a spacer with an inhaler?
The spacer chamber suspends these particles until you or your child breathes in, making it easier to get the medication into the lungs. These devices are recommended for
children who have trouble coordinating breathing
and using an inhaler the way they should, especially those younger than 5 or 6.
How often should you wash your spacer?
Place cleaned parts of inhaler on paper towel and let air dry. It is important to clean your spacer
once a week (or more if recommended)
.
Do reliever inhalers only contain anti inflammatory medicines?
Blue or grey reliever inhalers, such as Asmol, Ventolin, and Bricanyl, contain only a
bronchodilator medication to relax
the airway muscles. These products are effective usually between four to six hours. They don’t act to prevent symptoms from occurring again.
