Asthma inhalers

Asthma medication that is inhaled is generally inhaled through a metered dose inhaler or a dry powder device. The metered dose inhaler can be used with or without a spacer. The majority of people with asthma refer to their inhalers as ‘puffers’. There is also another type of inhaler called a nebuliser. This inhaler uses pressurised air which is pumped into a liquid medication to change into a fine vapour. That is then inhaled. This inhaler is normally prescribed only for people with life-threatening asthma.

There are many services and support agencies that provide information about asthma and help asthma sufferers and their families. Some of theses agencies are listed below:

1. Asthma Foundation of Western Australia Inc, Phone: (08) 9289 3600 or 1800 645 130 (Freecall), Website: www.asthmawa.org.au

2. Bentley Bronchiatrix (WA), Phone: (08) 9359 2025, Email: mikebank@wasp.net.au

3.The Australian Lung Foundation (Western Australia Support Groups), Phone: 1800 654 301 or (07) 3357 6388 (Admin), Website: www.lungnet.com.au

4. Breathe Easy Ipswich Inc, Phone: (07) 3812 2576, Website: www.lungsbreatheeasy.org

5.National Asthma Council Australia, Phone: 1800 032 495, Website: www.NationalAsthma.org.au

There is no known cause for asthma but there are many factors that are involved. These factors include:

• Genetic Factors: tends to run in families and many people with asthma also have other allergic conditions


• Environmental factors: many children grow up in carpeted homes which don’t allow much airflow and this encourages fast breeding of dust mites. Many children spend a lot time playing indoors where there are dust mites and no fresh air. Also being exposed to cigarette smoke inclines children to developing asthma and makes their symptoms more severe.


• Dietary changes: change in diet, such as higher intake of processed food, higher salt intake, lower antioxidant intake and lack of omega-3 fatty acids. This all contributes to the development of asthma.


• Lack of exercise: a decrease in exercise results in less stretching of airways


• Occupational exposure: Chemicals in workplaces such as dusts, gases, moulds and pollens, can cause asthmatic irritants in adults

There is a range of symptoms for asthma, the severity of the symptoms and how often they are experienced. The most common symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath


• Wheezing


• Chest tightness


• Dry, irritating and continual cough

The symptoms are triggered by the airways narrowing. The symptoms are different for each person and can change over time.

Children with asthma need to be in an environment that doesn’t trigger attacks or worsen symptoms. This can be done by maintaining good air quality in the home. To maintain a safe environment for the child, the following things need to be followed:

• Do not smoke or allow other people to smoke in your home


• Avoid woodfires


• Avoid scented candles or room fresheners


• Change household cleaning products to unscented or nonaerosol


• Make sure that all gas appliances vent to the outdoors


• Change the air conditioning filter regularly


• Have the air conditioning running on days when there is a high pollen or mould counts

Asthma Child and Adolescent Program

The Australian Government is funding the Asthma Foundations in Australia as part of the national Asthma Management Program. The government is funding them to produce and distribute two new programmes to educate and support people who suffer from asthma.

The Asthma Child and Adolescent Program will offer information and training about asthma management and what to do in an emergency. This information and training is available for school and preschool teachers. The programme also offers information for parents.

Asthma Educators such as nurses and health workers, deliver over 200 sessions each year all over Western Australia. These sessions cover all topics about asthma and include:

·         Facts, symptoms and triggers/causes

·         Management control and medication/treatment

·         Identifying and reacting to an asthma attack

·         Linked conditions to asthma

·         Asthma first aid

Asthma Friendly Schools Program

The staff at schools that have completed the asthma training provided by the Asthma Child and Adolescent Program are further encouraged to make their school, Asthma Friendly Schools. When a school becomes recognised as an Asthma Friendly School, the Asthma Foundation of WA provides the school with a free Asthma Emergency Kit along with support and other resources.

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Today Is The Last Day For Sale of CFC Asthma Inhalers

Our president informs us that asthmatics should also be careful because the propellent in most of the hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) inhalers is ethanol-based and, in his experience, can irritate faster than the CFC inhaler. It is also a bit slower in relieving shortness of breath. The Ventolin HFA inhaler, left, does not contain ethanol as its propellant. He recommends the Ventolin inhaler if you are sensitive to, or do not like, the ethanol propelled inhalers [ProAir, Proventil].

Read the ‘Description’ in the insert included in the inhaler box. The inserts read:

VENTOLIN HFA is intended for oral inhalation only. Each unit contains a microcrystalline suspension of albuterol sulfate in propellant HFA-134-a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane).

PROAIR HFA is intended for oral inhalation only. Each unit contains a icrocrystalline suspension of albuterol sulfate in propellant HFA-134-a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) and ethanol.

Of course, one could also avoid the propellants altogether by using the nebulizer, where the albuterol medication is in sodium chloride (salt water).

Although we like the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhalers better, they destroy atmospheric ozone that protects us from the negative effects of ultra violet radiation. In accordance with an FDA Final Rule and under the authority of the Clean Air Act of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, no CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers can be produced, marketed, or sold in the United States after December 31, 2008. How depressing. It is estimated that these inhalers destroy less than 1% of atmospheric ozone.

The spray from the HFA inhaler tastes and feels different than the spray from the CFC-propelled albuterol inhalers (albuterol is the medication). The spray from an HFA inhaler is also less forceful than the CFC inhalers. Whereas the CFC relief is virtually instant, the HFA seems to take about 30 seconds. MORE.

Source: U.S. FDA Consumer Health Information

Metered Dose Inhalers

FDA Safety Update: Asthma Medications

FDA’s Web Page on Eliminating Ozone depleting Substances from Metered-Dose Inhalers

Disclaimer: CECE makes no claims of medical expertise regarding the opinions expressed above, nor is our president a doctor and his observations are in no way recommended to the public as any sort of certified medical advice. By utilizing any of this infomation as your personal medical guide, you ‘hold harmless’ CECE, its officials and assigns from any resposibility for your own actions.

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