Health - Wellness
How Asthma Inhalers Really Work
By SABIKA HASSAN
Inhalers contain medicine known as a bronchodilator, with some medicines being meant for quick results, while others are better suited for relieving long-term symptoms of asthma. An inhaler's main function is to dilate bronchioles, since asthma tightens the airway muscles leading to and from the lungs.
Bronchodilators contain muscle-relaxing medicines that may ease this tightness, allowing better and smoother airflow, and relieving irritation. Additionally, inhalers remove mucus from the air passages, which is extremely common in cold or dry seasons and makes asthma worse.
The mouthpiece is held in such a way that the mouth creates a seal around the opening, and it's important to shake your inhaler at least 10 times before every use. The button is then pushed once, while the person simultaneously inhales slowly and deeply, which is how the medication enters the air passage and quickly relieves asthma symptoms.