Most children with asthma do not know how to use their inhalers, warn doctors

Many asthmatic children think that they are using their inhalers correctly – but this is not the case, experts warned.

Because of this, they expose themselves to a life-threatening asthma attack.

PA: Press Association

A new study published in the American College of Allergies, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that African American children and their parents were too confident in the use of the drug. 39; inhaler.

Scientists examine 65 couples of parents and children in four schools in Chicago.

Between the ages of 8 and 14, 97% of children misused their inhalers.

Only 5% of children who trusted in their inhalation technique used their inhaler correctly.

Parents overestimate the abilities of their children

None of the parents doubted that their children could use their inhalers.

"We have learned from previous studies that parents and children overestimate children's ability to properly use their inhaler," said Dr. Anna Volerman, lead author of the study.

"We examined whether the parents' and the child 's trust was the same and whether one or the other was a good sign of the child' s actual ability to use the baby. 39, inhaler correctly.

"We found that most parents and children overestimated children's abilities because of the child's great confidence – despite the misuse of inhalers."

GPs must start checking the inhalation technique

ACAAI President Todd Mahr, an allergist, said it was not enough that a health care provider simply asks a child or parent if his or her children know how to use their inhaler.

"Just asking is not a reliable screening tool to determine who needs additional training on the proper use of an inhaler. If your child has asthma , consult your allergist to make sure he has the proper inhalation technique.

"Bring the inhaler with you to your next appointment and have your allergist or one of their employees watch your child take it."

The authors of the study concluded that the fact that so many children mistakenly use their inhalers is due to the fact that their parents can not recognize good or bad practices.

Not the first warning

This is only the last severe warning after a series of studies have reached similar conclusions.

Earlier this month, we reported an expert study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, which found that half of children with asthma committed "life-threatening errors" when using inhalers – because that they did not use their spacing wedges.

"We know that asthma can be well managed in the majority of patients and properly using your inhaler is a key factor in managing asthma," said Dr. Waheeda Samady, lead author.

"An improper inhalation technique can help children to have uncontrolled asthma and need to go to the hospital to treat their asthma.

"Our study suggests that as health care providers, we can do a better job by showing patients and their families the proper inhaler and infill technique, and verifying them." frequently to make sure that they master it. "

The use of a bad technique may mean that you are more likely to have side effects such as thrush or sore throat because the drug hits the back of the throat or stays just right on the tongue.

The correct technique, however, is to run the drug into the airway where it is needed.

They have posted a series of helpful videos that can tell you if you or your child are using some inhalers properly.

Common mistakes of asthma

According to Asthma UK, 11 people often make mistakes when it comes to inhaler:

1. Do not breathe properly for your type of inhaler

• If you have a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI), you should breathe slowly and regularly. At the same time, press the cartridge of the inhaler once. Continue to inhale slowly for 3 to 4 seconds, until your lungs feel full.
• If you have a dry powder inhaler, you must inhale quickly and deeply until your lungs feel full, to be sure you inhale all the medications.

2. forget to shake the inhaler first

• All inhalers do not need to be shaken – check first.

3. do not wait between puffs

• With some inhalers, you must wait at least 30 to 60 seconds before taking the next puff. This gives the drug and propellant enough time to mix.

4. Do not expire before using an inhaler

• When you inhale as much as possible just before taking your inhaler, you create more space in your lungs for your next inhale. This means that you can breathe deeper and longer as you inhale your asthma medication – give it the best chance of reaching the small airways deep in your lungs.

5. do not have a tight lip seal

• By making sure your lips are sealed around your inhaler, the medication will go where you need it

6. do not lift your chin slightly before breathing

• Raising the chin will help the drug to penetrate the lungs more effectively

7. breathe too early before pressing the inhaler cartridge

• If you are already halfway to inspiration before the medication is released from the inhaler, you will not have enough time to finish breathing all the medications since your lungs will already be full. . If this happens, some of the drug will eventually be sprayed into the mouth and hit the back of the throat. It will not be transported to your lungs where it is needed.

8. inhale too late after pressing the inhaler cartridge (unless you are using a spacer)

• It takes less than half a second from the moment the cartridge is pressed to release all the drugs inside the inhaler. If you inhale after this time, some of the medicine will end up in your mouth instead of being transported to your lungs where it is needed.

9. do not hold your breath after taking your inhaler

• If you need to hold your breath after using your inhaler, it's important to do it – holding your breath helps keep your airways still, allowing more time for the medication to settle in your lungs. Ten seconds are ideal, but if this is not possible, it will be best to hold your breath as long as you feel comfortable.

10. do not use spacer

• They are not just for kids!

11. forget to take your inhaler at the same time each day