Final report in from my pulmonologist. I do have exercise induced bronchospams (asthma). I had a better workout today but still a long way to go. Any one out there with the same problem? How long did you have to take the cortisone inhailer before you noticed a significant difference?
The way to get the most medication into your lungs is to use a valved holding chamber -- I think the best one available is the Optichamber Advantage (and its pretty cheap now you can even buy it through Amazon). If you put the MDI in your mouth, most of the med winds up on your tongue or the back of your throat, then you swallow it. Holding the inhaler away from your mouth is a slight improvement but still far from optimal.
This is one of the few things in the world that I am sure of. I see many many people of all ages who aren't doing well until I insist that they use a spacer and use it correctly. It's not just about coordinating your inhalation (as many believe). If you puff that thing in the air you can see how fast the med comes out and no one, not even a swimmer, can breathe it in fast enough to get the med into the lungs before it hits the tongue and posterior pharynx. If you want to maximize the effect of your treatment and you are using MDIs, then a good spacer is key.
ps. The Vortex is also a good one, but usually costs more.
The way to get the most medication into your lungs is to use a valved holding chamber -- I think the best one available is the Optichamber Advantage (and its pretty cheap now you can even buy it through Amazon). If you put the MDI in your mouth, most of the med winds up on your tongue or the back of your throat, then you swallow it. Holding the inhaler away from your mouth is a slight improvement but still far from optimal.
This is one of the few things in the world that I am sure of. I see many many people of all ages who aren't doing well until I insist that they use a spacer and use it correctly. It's not just about coordinating your inhalation (as many believe). If you puff that thing in the air you can see how fast the med comes out and no one, not even a swimmer, can breathe it in fast enough to get the med into the lungs before it hits the tongue and posterior pharynx. If you want to maximize the effect of your treatment and you are using MDIs, then a good spacer is key.
ps. The Vortex is also a good one, but usually costs more.
