Inhalers or MDI’s are classified into two types. Rescue and Preventative
Preventative
The preventative medications are also called Inhaled Steroids. There are many different inhaled steroids used. They are usually used twice a day. One or two puffs in the morning and the same at night. These medications MUST be used as prescribed every day. Just because you think you’re doing well doesn’t mean you don’t need to use this medication anymore. This medication is the reason you’re doing better. With the inhaled steroid you are trying to prevent an asthma attack or exacerbation (flair up) of your COPD. You are decreasing the frequency of the attacks and hopefully making the attacks you do have less severe.
Don’t worry about all the horror stories you’ve been hearing about steroid use, side effects and abuse. The inhaled steroids are not the same ones the athletes are misusing. The side effects are less than taking a steroid by mouth or injection. With those the medication has to go through your system before reaching your lungs. An inhaled steroid is going directly to your lungs where you need it and it can be given in a significantly smaller dose.
You would use these medications following the instructions in Puffer Perfection, with the exception of holding the mouthpiece away from your lips. With the inhaled steroids you need to put the mouthpiece between your lips, with your lips sealed tightly around it. Some of these medications, Azmacort being one, have a built in spacer. The mouthpiece still goes between your lips but the canister of medication is farther away. Advair is a round, flat purple disc. This has a dry powder inside. You have to twist the disk to expose the mouthpiece, press the lever on the side down, exhale, put the mouthpiece into your mouth and inhale deeply. Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds. If you are to use a second puff you need to press the lever again before inhaling. Advair has a counter which starts with the number of inhalations/doses. It counts down to 0 each time you press the lever and inhale.
It’s very important to gargle and rinse your mouth after using an inhaled steroid. This will help prevent a mouth and throat infection.
Rescue
Rescue medications are also called bronchodilators. These are inhalers that will open the airways, relax the muscles around the airways and help you breathe easier. These medications may be prescribed to be used 2 puffs 2, 3, or 4 times a day or every 4 or 6 hours. You may also be told to use them as needed. These should be carried with you whenever you go out away from home in case you start having trouble. These are used following the instructions in Puffer Perfection.
If you are using your preventative medications as ordered you may find you are not feeling as tight between doses of your rescue medications. If you are told you only need to use your rescue medication as needed you may find you hardly need to use it at all. This does not mean you will never need to use your rescue medication. You still need to keep it with you, just in case. You never know what will trigger an attack.
Do not stop using your rescue medication as prescribed by the doctor until you check with him first. There may be a reason he wants you to keep using it several times a day. Let your doctor know you want to work as a team in managing your asthma or COPD. Discuss it with him and he may be agreeable to having you use it less often or as needed.
Preventative
The preventative medications are also called Inhaled Steroids. There are many different inhaled steroids used. They are usually used twice a day. One or two puffs in the morning and the same at night. These medications MUST be used as prescribed every day. Just because you think you’re doing well doesn’t mean you don’t need to use this medication anymore. This medication is the reason you’re doing better. With the inhaled steroid you are trying to prevent an asthma attack or exacerbation (flair up) of your COPD. You are decreasing the frequency of the attacks and hopefully making the attacks you do have less severe.
Don’t worry about all the horror stories you’ve been hearing about steroid use, side effects and abuse. The inhaled steroids are not the same ones the athletes are misusing. The side effects are less than taking a steroid by mouth or injection. With those the medication has to go through your system before reaching your lungs. An inhaled steroid is going directly to your lungs where you need it and it can be given in a significantly smaller dose.
You would use these medications following the instructions in Puffer Perfection, with the exception of holding the mouthpiece away from your lips. With the inhaled steroids you need to put the mouthpiece between your lips, with your lips sealed tightly around it. Some of these medications, Azmacort being one, have a built in spacer. The mouthpiece still goes between your lips but the canister of medication is farther away. Advair is a round, flat purple disc. This has a dry powder inside. You have to twist the disk to expose the mouthpiece, press the lever on the side down, exhale, put the mouthpiece into your mouth and inhale deeply. Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds. If you are to use a second puff you need to press the lever again before inhaling. Advair has a counter which starts with the number of inhalations/doses. It counts down to 0 each time you press the lever and inhale.
It’s very important to gargle and rinse your mouth after using an inhaled steroid. This will help prevent a mouth and throat infection.
Rescue
Rescue medications are also called bronchodilators. These are inhalers that will open the airways, relax the muscles around the airways and help you breathe easier. These medications may be prescribed to be used 2 puffs 2, 3, or 4 times a day or every 4 or 6 hours. You may also be told to use them as needed. These should be carried with you whenever you go out away from home in case you start having trouble. These are used following the instructions in Puffer Perfection.
If you are using your preventative medications as ordered you may find you are not feeling as tight between doses of your rescue medications. If you are told you only need to use your rescue medication as needed you may find you hardly need to use it at all. This does not mean you will never need to use your rescue medication. You still need to keep it with you, just in case. You never know what will trigger an attack.
Do not stop using your rescue medication as prescribed by the doctor until you check with him first. There may be a reason he wants you to keep using it several times a day. Let your doctor know you want to work as a team in managing your asthma or COPD. Discuss it with him and he may be agreeable to having you use it less often or as needed.
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