Asthma inhalers help manage asthma symptoms, and choosing the right one is imperative. These medical devices convert the liquid prescription into a fine mist that must be inhaled into the lungs. One must learn how to use inhalers effectively for quick relief and to help manage asthma efficiently. Training from a doctor or health care provider to learn how to use the device correctly is recommended. Read on to learn about the types and benefits of asthma inhalers.

Types of asthma inhalers
Broadly, there are three types of asthma inhalers . These include:

Metered-dose inhalers
Often referred to as puffers, the metered-dose inhalers contain the prescription treatment in a handheld container with a mouthpiece. Upon pressing the canister, a propellant (that enables the prescription to come out of the canister) helps send a treatment puff out of the mouthpiece. Following the instructions, the patient must inhale this puff through the mouth to allow the prescription treatment to reach the lungs. These inhalers deliver one dose per puff from a canister containing multiple doses

Dry powder inhalers
These asthma inhalers store the prescription treatment in powder form inside the containers or capsules that one activates when one uses the inhaler. Unlike metered-dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers have no propellant pushing the treatment dosage out. On the contrary, one takes a deep, quick breath to extract and inhale the powder into the lungs.

Typically, the dry powder inhalers come in the shape of a disk or a tube and have a mouthpiece annexed to them. Some such inhalers have a place to store the asthma management remedy. However, please note different brands and styles come with varied instructions on activating and using these inhalers. So, please be well-versed with them before using the dry powder inhalers.

Soft mist inhalers
These inhalers change liquid prescription into a fine mist. So, one inhales this mist through their mouth for the prescription to reach the lungs.

Benefits of using inhalers
Some prevalent benefits of using asthma inhalers are:

• They deliver the treatment directly to the lungs.
• Rescue inhalers open the airways during an emergency or an attack until one can get proper medical help for symptom management.
• Daily treatments help manage the asthma signs in chronic lung conditions or other illnesses.

Risks of using inhalers
Typically, the side effects depend on the condition treated and the treatment employed. Some prevalent risks of using asthma inhalers are:

• Using certain inhalers with COPD may aggravate the risk of developing pneumonia.
• Improper use of devices also has many risks.