UP TO 90 per cent of Australians are not using their life-saving inhalers correctly, increasing their risk of hospitalisation by 50 per cent for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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An Australian study found that six out of seven confident inhaler users were mistaken in thinking they had the correct technique.
To combat this problem, National Asthma Council Australia has launched an education campaign, including an expanded series of how-to videos for using inhalers correctly, to coincide with the increased number of asthma-related doctor visits and hospital admissions during the colder months.
NACA’s Asthma and Respiratory Educator, Judi Wicking, said that most patients with asthma or COPD have not had their technique checked nor corrected by a health professional.
“Improving inhaler technique will improve a person with asthma’s quality of life, lung function and asthma control. It will also decrease the risk of side effects like hoarseness and mouth infections (oral thrush).
“There are a large variety of inhalers and brands available on the market, and each one has to be used in a particular way. The series of demonstration videos show how to properly use each type.
“Part of the confusion is that steps are different for different types or brands of inhaler. It only takes two minutes to increase the quality of your life by viewing the video,” said Ms. Wicking.
Groups most likely to use inhalers incorrectly include young children, older adults, people with severe airflow limitation, and people using more than one type of inhaler device.
The how-to library also includes demonstration videos for the latest nasal allergy sprays, which need to be used in the right way to avoid side-effects like blood noses.
The NACA recommends that people with asthma watch the demonstrations online in the Council’s how-to video library or ask their practice nurse or pharmacist to check their technique.
Around 2.5 million Australians have asthma. In total, 419 asthma-related deaths were recorded in Australia in 2014, comprising 277 females and 142 males.
For more information on correct inhaler techniques and asthma visit the NACA's How-to video library.
