Asthma Inhalers Central

A recent Reuters article suggests that inhalers should not be used to alter the course of asthma in infants and young children.

Come to think about it, my first use of an asthma inhaler came when I was about eight years old (or at least, that’s what I remember); my pediatrician advised other forms of treatment when the illness surfaced years earlier.

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In the previous entry, we described asthma metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) in detail. But how do we exactly use these devices?

Basically, one needs to follow these steps:

1. Shake the asthma inhaler well. Some sources say that this goes after removing the cap; others say that shaking goes before. Consult your general practitioner for a third opinion.

2. Exhale.

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As we mentioned in our first inhaler article, there are two kinds of asthma inhalers. The first category is the metered-dose inhaler, called MDI for short. MDIs are one of the most common devices used to relieve asthma.

According to a WebMD article:

A metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is a handheld device that delivers a measured dose of medication directly to the lungs. The medication is usually in an aerosol form.

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Asthma sufferers, be heartened. We share the company of great people who battled asthma and lived life to the fullest, one way or another. This entry is the first in a series of Famous Asthmatics. I hope we can draw inspiration from these resilient people. The first trio: Beethoven, St. Bernadette, and Dennis “The Menace” Rodman.

Ludwig van Beethoven, master composer and piano virtuoso. According to Voices from the Past, Beethoven “composed unforgettable music while railing against ‘bumbling doctors’ — the best physicians in Vienna — who were unable to give him relief from asthma.”

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Asthmatics like me occasionally, if not frequently, suffer from episodes of wheezing and shortness of breath. One of the first things we reach for is the asthma inhaler, a pocket-sized device used as relief medication. It is a vital tool in an asthmatic’s struggle against his/her illness, so much so that I once referred to it as “a certified object of idolatry for asthmatics”.

According to a CNN/Mayo Clinic article, a variety of inhalers exist, with two major categories: metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers. Read the rest of this entry »

This website seeks to be a resource for people looking for information on asthma inhalers, other asthma medication, and asthma in general. AIC is not a substitute for professional medical help and medical diagnosis — it is still best to consult your doctor or medical websites (see Disclaimer).

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