-
According to study findings published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, almost half of young people with asthma misuse their inhalers and do not get a full dose of medicine, as reported in U.S. News & World.
-
As part of the study, investigators evaluated inhaler use among 113 children between the ages of 2 and 16 who were hospitalized for asthma.
-
Lead author Waheeda Samady said "our study suggests that as healthcare providers, we can do a better job showing patients and families the correct inhaler and spacer technique, and checking it frequently to ensure they master it."
-
She pointed out that adolescents may feel that using a spacer is only for younger children, but "using a spacer is recommended for adults as well."
-
Previous research indicates that adding a spacer to an inhaler boosts the amount of asthma medication a person takes in from 34 percent to 83 percent, the news source said.
