Why spacer with inhaler?

Asthma patients suffer the most during winter. Breathing problems increase.
Asthma patients should use their inhaler regularly during this season. Many patients use inhalers without any spacer.
A spacer is a plastic tube attached to the inhaler which is used as a medium to using inhale properly.
It has a mouth piece on one end and a valve or switch on the other. The valve opens while inhaling the medication ejected from the inhaler. The valve is automatically switched off while exhaling.
Shake the inhaler several times before use and fix it onto the end of the spacer. Press the canister and the medication will enter the spacer.
Breathe in through the mouthpiece. Breathe gently so that the medicine can easily enter your lungs.

Breathe in gently and hold your breath for a few seconds. The medication can stay in the spacer for 5 to 10 seconds.
Keep the mouthpiece on and continue breathing in and out until the shortness of breath stabilises.
If you need a second dose, wait for a few seconds, remove the inhaler, shake it well and repeat the procedure.

It is easier to get the right amount of medication in the lungs by using a spacer instead of the inhaler only.
A spacer is recommended especially for children as they cannot use inhalers properly. Also, taking steroids orally may cause infections of a kind of yeast called candida. The patient’s voice may turn hoarse due to this.
A spacer can reduce all these risks.
*Azizur Rahman is a chest specialist. This piece originally published in Prothom Alo print edition has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat