Important Points About Treating Asthma in Children With Inhalers

According to WHO, asthma is the most common non-communicable disease in children. Millions of children around the world have asthma and while this is a serious respiratory condition, it can be managed so it doesn't have a major impact on everyday life. An asthma inhaler is the most commonly prescribed form of asthma treatment and this is also true for children. Inhalers are recommended by doctors since the medicine that is inhaled goes directly to the lungs and has been found to be more effective than other types of asthma medication. If your child has been prescribed an asthma inhaler, you might have questions about it. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about treating asthma in children with inhalers that will help you find out everything you need to know: 

Are inhalers safe to use for kids?

Inhalers are absolutely safe for kids to use. In fact, since the asthma medication goes where it needs to go when inhaled into the lungs, it reduces the risk of side effects and can also act quickly. Since the medication is deposited directly into the lungs, a lower dosage of the medicine needs to be taken too. 

Are inhalers for children different from inhalers for adults? 

Besides wondering if there is any difference between the inhalers depending on age, you might also ask if a child can use an adult's inhaler. Some inhaler devices might be easier for children to use but there is no separate kind of inhaler that is just meant for adults. The medication and its dosage that is prescribed by the doctor for your child's asthma depends on their condition.

What kind of inhaler should children use? 

There are many different types of inhalers available with the metered dose inhaler (MDI) being the most common one. All of these inhalers perform the same function and children can be taught how to properly use them on their own. There is no single best inhaler for asthma, the effectiveness of the asthma medication depends on whether proper inhaler techniques are used.  

How can kids use the inhaler correctly? 

Older kids can be taught to use many different kinds of asthma inhalers. The techniques remain the same for kids as well as adults, so parents can look up how the prescribed type of inhaler is used and teach it to their children. With some types of inhalers, such as MDIs, it can be difficult for kids to coordinate the inhalation of medicine. Children can use MDIs with spacers so they can inhale the proper dosage of the medicine even if they have trouble coordinating the spraying and inhalation. A spacer is an add-on device that is attached to the MDI where the medicine can stay suspended in the air for some time after it is sprayed from the inhaler. Some spacers also come with a mask which makes inhaling medicine even easier for younger kids of ages 5 and below. 

How frequently should a child be using the inhaler? 

Inhalers are of two types depending on the medication in them - controller inhaler and rescue inhaler. Controller asthma inhalers typically contain anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce the swelling of the airways over a gradual time and helps keeps asthma symptoms in check. Rescue asthma inhalers contain bronchodilators that quickly opens the airways in emergency situations, such as an asthma attack. The doctor will prescribe how frequently the controller inhaler should be used and this is the schedule that should be followed to prevent overmedication. Rescue inhalers should only be used sparingly. If your child frequently needs to use the rescue inhaler or isn't getting proper relief from a controller inhaler, you should get in touch with the doctor so there can be an adjustment made to your child's asthma treatment. 

In conclusion, inhalers are the most effective way to manage asthma in children. As long as the inhalers are used with the proper technique and the medication schedule is followed, asthma symptoms can stay in check and even reduce over time. 

References:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/in-depth/asthma-in-children/art-20044376

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/in-depth/asthma-in-children/art-20044390

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