Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 25 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be controlled with proper medical treatment and lifestyle changes. One important tool that helps asthma patients better manage their condition is the asthma spacer.

What is an Asthma Spacer?
Introduction to Asthma Spacers
An asthma spacer, also known as a valved holding chamber, is a plastic chamber with a one-way valve. Asthma spacers are used with pressurized metered dose inhalers (MDIs) to deliver asthma medication deep into the lungs. Without a spacer, much of the medication can deposit in the mouth and throat instead of reaching the airways. Asthma spacers help patients, especially children, get more medication to the lungs with each puff from an MDI inhaler. This makes treatment more effective.

How Do Asthma Spacers Work?

When using an MDI inhaler with a spacer, the patient places the inhaler opening into one end of the spacer. As the medication is released from the inhaler, it travels through the spacer chamber. The one-way valve at the other end of the spacer prevents exhaled air from reentering. When the patient inhales through the mouthpiece, the medication is drawn into the lungs rather than depositing in the throat. Studies have found spacers can increase the amount of medication deposited in the lungs by up to 6 times compared to inhaled directly from an MDI. Proper technique such as slow, deep breaths are important for optimal use of spacers.

Benefits of Using an Asthma Spacer
Why Asthma Spacers are Helpful Treatment Tools
There are several benefits to using an asthma spacer with MDI inhalers:

- Increased Medication Delivery: As mentioned, spacers allow more of the medication dose to reach the lungs rather than being swallowed or depositing in the mouth/throat. This improves how well treatment works.

- Easier, More Coordinated breathing: Spacers eliminate the need to coordinate pressing the inhaler and inhaling deeply. Patients can inhale at their own pace which is easier, especially for young children.

- Better Asthma Control: Getting more medication to the airways through spacer use has been shown to improve asthma symptoms and lung function test results over the long term. This leads to better management of the condition.

- Lower medication dosage: Since more medication reaches the lungs via a spacer, doctors may be able to lower the prescribed dosage, which means fewer side effects from high doses depositing systemically.

- Cost-Effective: While spacers have an initial purchase cost, they allow medication doses to be more effective and last longer. This makes overall treatment more affordable.

Types of Asthma Spacers and Proper Care
Choosing and Caring for the Best Spacer
There are a few main types of Asthma Spacers available:

- Standard single-chamber spacers: The most basic and inexpensive type. Sufficient for majority of patients.

- Double-chamber spacers: Have a divider wall which prevents patient's breath from diluting the medication mist. Slightly more costly.

- Spacer with mask: Has a molded mask attached rather than mouthpiece, ideal for very young children or those unable to coordinate mouthpiece use.

Regardless of type, all spacers must be properly cleaned and cared for weekly to prevent buildup of residue or mold growth. Most can be washed with warm soapy water, rinsed, and allowed to air dry. Some may be able to rinse in dishwasher without detergent. Manufacturers provide specific instructions. Replacing spacers every 6 months is also generally recommended.


Asthma Spacers: An Integral Part of Management

In conclusion, asthma spacers are a vital yet often underutilized component of asthma treatment regimens. When used correctly in coordination with maintenance controller medications like inhaled corticosteroids, spacers maximize the amount of medication delivered to the airways. This strengthens a patient's defenses and prevents asthma symptoms from worsening. Non-adherence to daily spacer/inhaler therapy is one of the leading causes of poor asthma control and risk of attacks. With education on proper technique and supervision as needed, asthma spacers empower patients to responsibly self-manage their condition. Following medical advice including consistent spacer use is key to living well with asthma.

Get more insights on- Asthma Spacers