Sa loob ng 40 taon kong panggagamot, naobserbahan kong marami sa mga asthmatic patients ang gumagamit ng inhalers subalit nagulat ako nang malamang marami sa mga pasyente ay hindi nari-relief ng kanilang inhaler. Batay sa mga pag-aaral, kalahati ng mga pasyenteng gumagamit ng inhaler ay hindi alam kung paano ito gamitin. Sa America, nabatid na 50 percent lamang sa 200 babae roon ang nakagagamit ng inhaler sa tamang paraan.
Narito ang mga paraan sa paggamit ng inhaler.
1. While holding the inhaler upward, shake it well. Do not forget to remove the cap from the inhaler.
2. Tilt your head back and exhale.
3. Put the inhaler’s mouthpiece in a position that is comfortable for you. Various doctors may suggest one of three positions: a.) Place the inhaler one to two inches away from your mouth; b.) Place the mouthpiece inside your mouth with your lips firmly around it; and c.) use a spacer. Spacers are tubes that connect the inhaler to your mouth and will hold the medication until you inhale.
4. Start to breathe in slowly just as you press down on the inhaler to release the medicine. This simultaneous action seems to cause the most problems for people using inhalers. Concentrate on the activity and you will soon realize that its not difficult at all. Remember to breath in slowly, taking 3 to 5 second for each breath. You should not see the medicine mist in the air nor should you feel it land on your tongue.
5. In order for the medicine to spread well throughout the lungs, hold your breath for 10 seconds.
6. Repeat puffing your inhaler as per direction of your doctor. You may however want to wait one minute between puffs to get their full effect.
7. Do not forget to clean your inhaler’s mouthpiece regularly to avoid buildup. Clean with warm water and soap and then air-dry. Keep the cap on your inhaler when not using it so that dust, lint and dirt are kept out.