Are you using your inhaler spacer device? Because 90% of patients don't use their inhalers correctly
so you've been prescribed the metered dose inhaler and a spacer device
but are you using it?
I get it though spacers can be bulky and it can be difficult to carry with you
especially if you don't have a bag
but remember this (PHONE RINGS) let's go onto the next scene
spacer devices allow more medication to reach the right part of the lungs
which means better disease control and possibly less frequent use of your inhaler
so before we learn how to use our spacer device let's take a closer look at it
at the front of the spacer is the universal end cap which the metered dose inhaler goes into
next is the anti-static chamber which the medication flows through and stops at the valve
the valve then opens when you breathe from the mouthpiece
some spacers also have a mask where the mouthpieces is but the mechanisms are all the same
now let's learn how to use it
step 1! remove the cap from your inhaler and from your spacer
and look inside them both to make sure there's no foreign objects inside it
step 2! prime your inhaler if it's the first time you're using it or you haven't used it for a while
every inhaler is different so always read the information leaflet
it's usually two sprays away from yourself and now it's primed
so you're gonna get the right amount of medicine per dose
step 3! shake your inhaler so the drug mixes with the propellant
"do you mean like this?" exactly like that
because if you don't mix you're gonna get more propellant coming out than drug
similar concept to deodorant
step 4! stand or sit upright, tilt your head back, breathe out gently
and then wrap your lips around the mouthpiece without biting it
it's important to hold your inhaler like this so it's straight and not like this
step 5! now it's time for the fun bit but there's going to be two techniques that I show you
and their both as good as each other, so there's the single breathing one
and the tidal breathing technique which is the preferred method for children
breathe in slow and deep
just after you begin to breathe in press the canister down and continue to inhale
remove the spacer from your mouth
and continue holding your breath for 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable
then breathe out gently
and that's the first technique now let's see tidal breathing technique
just after you begin to breathe in press the canister down
breathe in and out normally three times through your mouth if your aerochamber has a mouthpiece like mine
or five times if it has a mask
remember you don't need to hold your breath at the end of this technique
now that, was fantastic!
and if you hear that whistling sound, but I think it sounds more like a harmonica
it means you're inhaling in too fast so slow it down
and if you need to take another dose repeat the whole process again after 30 to 60 seconds
and once you've finished replace the cap on your inhaler and your spacer
now that you know the technique here's some additional information which you may find useful
tip 1! make sure the spacer forms a good seal around the inhaler
and if it doesn't speak to your pharmacist about it
wash your spacer once a week by soaking in lukewarm water with mild detergent
for 15 minutes then rinse well
after washing allow the parts to air dry in a vertical position
don't dry using a cloth as it can cause static which makes the medication stick to it
tip 3! replace your spacer every 6 to 12 months
and that's it you're now a spacer pro
and as always make sure to like, comment and tag friends who'll find this information useful
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it's important to rip your lips (LAUGHTER), rip your lips
if I play this flute will you dance
I also made a video (LOUD CRASHING SOUND)
when I film there's like a massive skip outside (LOUD CRASHING SOUND)
(LAUGHTER) it's like filling waste