May is peak season for asthma and allergies, which is why May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Started in 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) aims to raise awareness and educate people about these ailments and diseases. For example, did you know that over 60 million people in America have asthma and allergies? Approximately 26 million people suffer from asthma, and approximately 32 million people have some sort of food allergy.
While the effects of these diseases can vary in severity, they can be a challenge to manage regardless. One common method of managing asthma is by using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), or puffer, to deliver medication to the lungs. In order to properly administer the medication, the use of a spacer is recommended. A spacer is a device that attaches to the end of the puffer and acts as a bridge to help the medicine to your lungs, as opposed to getting sprayed into your mouth / throat and wasted. The spacer that canaPHEM prefers is the Thayer LiteAire Chamber.
The Thayer LiteAire Chamber is made of cardboard and can be folded flat for storage, and easily popped up when ready to use. The holding chamber holds the medicine until it is ready to be inhaled and has an approximate volume of 184mL. It has two one way valves; one valve that provides a direct path for medicine to flow from the chamber into the mouthpiece, and another valve that opens to allows air to escape when the patient exhales. Its light and compact design makes it perfect for travel and storage.
For many, Spring time is a time for warmth and new beginnings. For others, it’s a time for itchy eyes, runny noses and shortness of breath. Asthma and allergies are never fun to deal with, but with the aid of an inhaler and a spacer the effects can be managed with ease. Knowing how to properly use your personal medical equipment will help you survive this year’s Spring time assault on your senses.