What is a spacer?
Valved holding chambers, more commonly known as spacers, are used to assist in the application of asthma medication into the lungs. A spacer is made of a clear plastic container shaped like a football or a tube with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for an inhaler at the other. When the puffer is depressed, medication is released from the puffer into the spacer, and is then inhaled through the mouthpiece or a face mask. The face mask is especially useful for very young children and those who have difficulties taking their medication to ensure that they inhale as much asthma medication as possible into their lungs.
Spacers come in different shaped & sizes. Small spacers are useful for children and can also be used by adults. However, some small spacers may not deliver enough preventer medicines to deliver enough drug to the lungs; the bigger the volume of the spacer, the better/more drug delivery to the lungs. Thus, the choice of a spacer depends on the medication type, personal preference, budget and advice from a health professional.
Advantages
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Limitations
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Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Spacer
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How to Maintain a Spacer?
Regular cleaning of your spacers is warranted as medications can collect on the walls of the spacer device. Clean your spacer before you use it for the first time, then about once a month so they will work correctly.
- Wash spacer in warm water with a kitchen detergent
- Leave to air dry without rinsing (The thin film of detergent on the plastic surface could help reduce static charges.)
- Do not dry with towel/cloth as this might increase static build up in the spacer. (This attracts aerolised particles to walls, causing it to stick to the walls and thus reduces the amount of drug delivered and its effectiveness.)
- Once dried, pieve the spacer back together again and store in a paper bag to minimise static.
- Wipe the mouthpiece clean of detergent before use.
- Spacers should be checked by your doctor, pharmacist or nurse every 6-12 months to check the structure is intact (e.g. no cracks) and the valve is working.
Authors: Loren Mundy, Uma Mageswari Sellvaraj, Ng Victoria, Nikhil Jotsingani