​What are Asthma Spacers?

Asthma spacers, also known as aerochamber or volumatic, are plastic holding chambers that attach to metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to help deliver asthma medication into the lungs. They work by allowing more medication from an MDI to get deeper into the lungs with each puff.

How it Help Treat Asthma
Asthma spacers provide several important benefits for asthma patients using MDIs:

Better Medication Delivery
Without a Asthma Spacers, a large portion of the medication released from an MDI can collide with the mouth and throat rather than reaching deep into the lungs. Asthma spacers help prevent this by holding the medication cloud long enough for patients to inhale slowly. This allows more medication to reach the airways where it is needed to treat asthma symptoms.

Easier Inhalation Technique
Using a mouthpiece spacer eliminates the need to coordinate pressing down on the inhaler and breathing in at the same time. Spacers allow patients to breathe in naturally through the mouthpiece after activating the inhaler, making them much easier for children and elderly patients to use correctly.

Less Medication Wasted
Nearly 80% of the medication released from an MDI can be deposited in the mouth and throat instead of the lungs when used incorrectly without a spacer. Spacers help minimize wasted medication by depositing a higher percentage where it can have the greatest therapeutic benefit.

Importance of Spacer Cleaning and Maintenance
While asthma spacers provide important benefits, it is critical they are properly cared for between uses to maximize medication delivery and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. Some key maintenance steps include:

- Washing the spacer components in warm water and dish soap once per week followed by air drying. This removes any buildup of dried medication residue.

- Rinsing the spacer chamber with a washing up liquid each time after use and leaving to completely air dry. Leaving it damp can allow microbes to thrive.

- Not sharing a spacer between different users. This prevents the spread of infections like colds and flu between asthma patients in a household.

- Replacing spacers every 6-12 months. Over time, plastic spacers can develop micro-cracks that harbor contaminants no amount of cleaning can remove.

- Ensuring all components are completely dry before replacing on the MDI. Moisture can cause the medical suspension to clump up or settle instead of dispersing uniformly.

Proper spacer assembly is also important for maximum benefit. The plastic mask or mouthpiece should fit securely onto the end of the spacer chamber, and the MDI should insert firmly but not forced into the chamber opening. A proper seal is needed between all connections.

Getting Asthma Patients to Use Their Spacer Correctly
Even with an optimal spacer cleaning routine, its benefits are lost if patients do not use it correctly with their MDI. Here are some tips caregivers can use:

- Demonstrate the proper technique of inserting MDI, holding spacer upright, shaking Canister, pressing down while starting slow inhalation and continuing for 10 seconds.

- Encourage holding their breath for at least 10 seconds after each puff to maximize lung deposition.

- Have them practice alone under supervision at first to master the technique before using during asthma symptoms.

- Provide positive reinforcement when they inhale correctly through the spacer instead of rushing the process.

- Remind patients to use their spacer as prescribed on medication labels and refill prescriptions on time to avoid interruptions.

- Consider using reminder Apps, stickers on bathroom mirrors or timers for younger patients to help associate correct use with daily hygiene routines.

By ensuring asthma patients properly care for and use their spacer devices, caregivers can help maximize the benefits of inhaled medication therapy and better control asthma symptoms. With consistent use, spacers improve lung health long term.

asthma spacers play an important role in helping patients with asthma, especially children, get their inhaled medications effectively into the lungs where they can provide the most benefit. With correct cleaning, maintenance and inhalation technique, spacers minimize wasted medications and make inhalers much easier to use properly. Taking the time to demonstrate and encourage proper spacer use is worth the effort to achieve better asthma control over the long run.
 
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)