Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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aerochambers and spacers

htag
htag
What's the difference? I had a small spacer that really did nothing but extend the mouth piece, and now I have an aerochamber that whistles when I'm sucking in too fast! IS there a difference? Oh, and are you supposed to be using them with Advair HFA? I've been using one with my Advair since I got it at the last ER visit. Doesn't fit on my proventil though.
deleted_user
deleted_user
good for you for using them. there suppose to give you more med and deliver it deeper in your lungs.so much of your dose leaks out in the air or mouth you don't even realize it. I don't use my spacer but I should. that whistle is to train you how to inhale it properly to get it deeper in your lungs make sure your blowing all your air out before you start any dose too and once you have finished your inhalation hold your breath for a count of 8 then exhale.I've only used the advair discus so don't know about that or the proventil?
deleted_user
deleted_user
spacers and aerochambers essentially do the same thing. there are all sorts of idfferent names for them and different shapers sizes and colour!!! I use a aerochamber. if it whistles when you breathe in you are breathign too hard. you arnt meant to make it whistle at all. I think the spacer is also called a volumatic...it is a much bigger devcie and sort of egg shaped with amouth piece. it has a vlave whihc clicks when you breathe in and out. i used to ahve this but i dont any more. these ahve been povertaken by the aerochamber. it is much smaler and more user friendly.

You can use any spray inhlaer in them whether it is cfc, cfc free or hfa or whatever.

Also drs often think that a aerochamber or spacer is just as effective as a nebulizer and there has been studies to prove it. the spacer holds the expelled drug in the chamber so none is getting lost to the enviroment.

One tip though when you wash you areochamber or spacer dont dry it by hand leave it dry naturally as this will stop it getting static whihc atractes inhlaer particles and stops you getting so much of the dose.

olive