asthma/Drugs

Drugs
The majority of the drugs which relieve asthma are very effective when they are inhaled because the drug directly reached the bronchi.

The inhalation has two major advantages:

The product acts very quickly: it begins its action as soon as it is fixed on the internal wall of the bronchus. It is the case of the bronchodilatateurs who relieve the asthma attack in a few seconds.
The effective amount weak is compared with the drugs taken in tablets. It will thus be tolerated better.

The aerosol-batcher or pressurized aerosol
It functions on the same principle as the lacquer with hair and the fly sprays.

The drug is in suspension in a liquid, then pressurized in a bottle that one introduces then into a plastic case. When one presses on the bottle, a precise amount of drug is released towards the oral opening. The gas which propels the drug evaporates quickly releasing the drug in the shape of fine particles which are then inhaled and which settle on the bronchi.

The majority of the anti-asthmatic drugs exist in this form.

It is necessary to learn how with good to use them.

The most current faults of handling are:

A bad synchronization (the pressure on the bottle is not made at the good moment compared to the inspiration).
Breathing is not sufficiently retained after the inhalation (5 to 10 seconds).
When these errors are made, a too small quantity of drug reaches the lungs and the product does not give its maximum of effectiveness.

For the asthmatic ones which has difficulties in use the aerosol-batchers, there exist systems facilitating the inhalation of the drug.

Rooms of inhalation.
The inhalers of powder dries.
Nébulisateurs.

Rooms of inhalation
They are intended to overcome the problems created during the use of the aerosol-batcher.

A room of inhalation is a plastic reserve which retains the volitilized drug. Its effectiveness is related to its size and its volume. The intermediate size is of 750 ml. The aerosol-batcher is encased with the one on the sides of the tank, at the other end is an end finished by a valve by which the asthmatic one breathes. The drug diffuse in the bronchi at the time of the inspiration, and since the valve is closed with the expiry, one can, in several breathings, to forward the totality of the drug contained in this tank to the bronchi where it will act fully.

Their important size makes them cumbersome to transport.

One has Nébuhaler which adapts to the aerosols of Bricanyl and Pulmicort, of Volumatic which adapts to the sprays of Ventoline, Bécotide and Ventide.

There exists a system of connection making it possible all the aerosol-batchers to adapt to these various apparatuses.

Aéroscopic, telescopic, adapts to all the models thanks to a flexible connection.

The inhalers of powder dries
The drug is conditioned in the form of dry powder in unit dose which will be released either:

By perforating a capsule, for example, Spinhaler for Lomudal.
By perforating one of the eight cells of a Ventodisks disc.
By the system of Turbuhaler for Bricanyl and Pulmicort.
In all the cases, it is while inspiring deeply that the powder settles in the bronchi, thus avoiding synchronization necessary and difficult with the aerosol-batchers.

Nébulisateurs
The Atomizing is a form of treatment whose effectiveness is recognized.

The nébulisateurs produce a fine drizzle of solution of the drug which is inhaled through an end or a mask.
The nébulisateurs generally function thanks to an electric compressor of air or via a pump with foot or of oxygen contained in a cylinder.
One needs a more important amount of drug with a nebulisator than with the other apparatuses (sprays).
The duration of the inhalation of the effective amount is from 10 to 15 minutes.

TO RETAIN
The inhalation of the anti-asthmatic drugs is the most effective method and without danger.

To draw the maximum benefit from it, it is necessary very well to learn how to use your inhaler. With the slightest doubt, do not hesitate to speak about it with your doctor or your nurse.

If you find that these drugs are not to you of any benefit, you must check:

That the inhaler functions correctly.
That it is not empty.
That you use it correctly.