Asthma spacer

Asthma spacer

An asthma spacer is a type of add-on device used by an asthmatic person to increase the effectiveness of a metered-dose inhaler. Such add-on devices include spacers, which merely add space between the mouthpiece of the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and the patient's mouth, as well as holding chambers, which have valves that result in the aerosol from the MDI being briefly held in a reservoir from which the patient subsequently inhales the aerosolized medication. The term spacer is often used to refer to any tube-like MDI add-on device, including holding chambers. Spacers are specially designed plastic or metal tubes, although they can be made from any suitable container, e.g. polystyrene cups or plastic bottles. [cite web | title = Home-made spacers for bronchodilator therapy in children with acute asthma: a randomised trial |url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10501359&dopt=Abstract | work = The Lancet | accessdate = 2008-06-09 ] [cite web | title = Asthma inhaler spacers | url = http://www.appropedia.org/Asthma_inhaler_spacers | work = [http://www.appropedia.org Appropedia] | accessdate = 2008-06-09] The inhaler fits on one end, while the patient breathes normally on the other. Some spacers utilize a collapsing bag design to provide visual feedback that successful inspiration is taking place.

Benefits of a spacer

In order to properly use an inhaler without a spacer, one has to coordinate a certain number of actions in a set order (pressing down on the inhaler, breathing in deeply as soon as the medication is released, holding your breath, exhaling), and not all patients are able to master this sequence. Use of a spacer avoids such timing issues. Spacers slow down the speed of the aerosol coming from the inhaler, meaning that less of the asthma drug impacts on the back of the mouth and somewhat more may get into the lungs. Because of this, less medication is needed for an effective dose to reach the lungs, and there are fewer side effects from corticosteroid residue in the mouth. [Merck Manual 18th ed. p. 405]

Valves on a spacer (which technically makes it a holding chamber) cause the patient to inhale the contents of the spacer, but exhalation goes out into the air. The problem of co-ordinating an inspiration with a press of an inhaler is avoided, making use easier for children under 5 and the elderly. It also makes asthma medication easier to deliver during an attack.

pacer Disadvantages

* A spacer can be bulky, limiting portability.
* Devices along the inhalation path - such as a spacer - may cause the medication to deposit prior to reaching the patient and the patient can receive less than the measured dose.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Asthma — For other uses, see Asthma (disambiguation). Asthma Classification and external resources Peak flow meters are used to measure one s peak expiratory flow rate ICD 10 …   Wikipedia

  • Spacer — A spacer is generally something used to create a space between two objects, often to properly position them.There are also a number of specialised usages for the term.* Rebar spacers or reinforcement bars spacers are linear or point proucts… …   Wikipedia

  • Metered-dose inhaler — ProAir HFA Albuterol Sulfate(US) A metered dose inhaler (MDI) is a device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the airway and lungs, in the form of a short burst of aerosolized medicine that is inhaled by the patient. It is the most… …   Wikipedia

  • Funhaler — The Funhaler is an asthma spacer inhaler made specifically for young children, manufactured by Visiomed …   Wikipedia

  • Asma — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Asma Clasificación y recursos externos Aviso médico CIE 10 J …   Wikipedia Español

  • Nebulizer — In medicine, a nebulizer[1] (spelled nebuliser in British English)[2] is a device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs. A Jet nebulizer attached to a compressor. Nebuli …   Wikipedia

  • Inhaler — NOTOC An inhaler or puffer is a medical device used for delivering medication into the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).There are several different types of inhalers …   Wikipedia

  • Lingzhi — Taxobox name = Ganoderma lucidum image width = 270px regnum = Fungi phylum = Basidiomycota classis = Agaricomycetes ordo = Polyporales familia = Ganodermataceae genus = Ganoderma species = G. lucidum binomial = Ganoderma lucidum binomial… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”