Clinical update

Asthma inhalers Find out more

SPL

Essential facts There are 5.4 million people in the UK being treated for asthma, and the vast majority of them use inhalers to receive medication. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways, making the muscles tighten, narrowing the airways and making it harder to breathe. Inhalers can be divided into two types: those that are taken immediately to relieve asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways; and those that are designed to prevent attacks by reducing swelling and inflammation.

Misuse of medical devices: a persistent problem in self-management of asthma and allergic disease (January 2015) tinyurl.com/asthmadevice Asthma UK video tutorial on using inhalers tinyurl.com/ asthmainhalervideo

What’s new? Concerns that many people with asthma do not use their inhalers correctly have been highlighted in research from the United States. Most participants in the small study were receiving smaller doses of the drug than intended due to poor use; only 7 per cent were using their inhaler in the right way, and many made multiple mistakes, according to researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch. These findings reinforce other studies. Research has also linked incorrect inhaler use with poor asthma control.

Signs/symptoms Asthma UK says that the most common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

Causes/risk factors Asthma is more likely to develop if there is a family history of the condition, eczema or allergies. It is likely that this family history, combined with certain environmental factors,

Expert comment Debby Waddell is lead clinical adviser at Asthma UK

NHS Choices asthma treatment advice www.nhs.uk/Conditions/ Asthma/Pages/ Treatment.aspx

influences whether or not someone develops asthma. Smoking during pregnancy and having parents who smoke increases the risk of a child developing asthma. Adult onset asthma may develop after a viral infection or exposure to irritants in the workplace.

How you can help your patient Explain how to use an inhaler so that every dose gives optimum benefit. Inhaler use should be checked at every asthma review, along with the patient’s asthma action plan. This plan should give patients a step-by-step guide to managing their asthma. Patients with a written action plan are four times less likely to be admitted to hospital.

‘Nine out of ten healthcare professionals do not know how to use inhalers properly. It is vital that practice nurses and asthma nurses understand the different uses of inhalers and techniques for them. Patients need to be matched with the right inhaler, for example those using powder inhalers need the strength to inhale deeply.

Articles from Nursing Standard Improving inhaler technique in patients with asthma (2011) rcnpublishing.com/ doi/abs/10.7748/ ns2011.11.26.9.49.c8799 Protocol for assessing inhaler technique in patients with asthma (2012) tinyurl.com/llgvwvu Improving the management of asthma in older adults (2013) tinyurl.com/nu2ls68

‘Inhaler technique should be checked by the asthma nurse at the annual review. ‘It is important that nurses ask patients to demonstrate technique before medication is increased. A simple mistake could mean a person with asthma is getting less treatment than they need and then being given a higher dose of medication.’

NURSING STANDARD 11other :: voluses 29 no 24 ::permission. 2015 19 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Dec 05, 2015. For personal february use only. No without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.

Asthma inhalers.

Asthma inhalers. - PDF Download Free
93KB Sizes 0 Downloads 15 Views