Asthma spacer

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An asthma spacer is a device used by an asthmatic person to increase the effectiveness of an asthma inhaler. Spacers are specially designed plastic or metal tubes that fit an inhaler on one end, while the patient breathes normally on the other end. Some spacers utilize a collapsing bag design to provide visual feedback that successful inspiration is taking place.

In order to properly use an inhaler without a spacer, one has to coordinate a certain number of actions in a set order (pressing down on the inhaler, breathing in deeply as soon as the medication is released, holding your breath, exhaling), and not all patients are able to master this sequence. Use of a spacer avoids such timing issues. Spacers slow down the speed of the aerosol coming from the inhaler, meaning that less of the asthma drug impacts on the back of the mouth and more gets into the lungs. Because of this, less medication is needed for an effective dose, and there are fewer side effects from corticosteroid residue in the mouth.^[1]

Valves on the spacers cause the patient to breathe the contents of the spacer, but exhalation goes out into the air. The problem of co-ordinating an inspiration with a press of an inhaler is avoided, making use easier for children under 5 and the elderly. It also makes asthma medication easier to deliver during an attack.

Polystyrene cups or large plastic bottles can be used as spacers for children in an emergency.