It is important for everyone to use a spacer each time they use their inhaler. A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of your inhaler. If you use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine ends up inside your mouth or stomach, instead of your lungs, where it works best. The spacer acts as a holding chamber where the medicine sits as a fine mist that you can then breathe in very slowly.
Video Transcript
I know how to use my inhaler, so I don’t need a spacer.
What do you mean?
Actually, it’s important for everyone to use a spacer every time they use their inhaler.
A spacer is an attachment that fits onto the end of the inhaler, like this.
If you just use your inhaler without a spacer, then most of the medicine will end up in your mouth or in your stomach, instead of inside your lungs where it works best.
The spacer acts as a holding chamber where the medicine sits as a fine mist that you can then breathe in very slowly to allow the medicine to get inside your lungs.
Spacer devices are for everybody of all ages.
Younger children may have a face mask that fits on the end of their spacer, and then fits tightly over their nose and mouth.
Older children and teenagers can often use a spacer with a mouthpiece.
With a little practice, spacers are very easy to use.
You do have to remember to still breathe in very slowly, and then hold your breathe at the end to make sure all the medicine gets deposited inside your lungs.
Wow – I didn’t know all of that, thanks!
I’ll make sure I keep my spacer around all the time, that way I'll have it when I need it.
