What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the respiratory tract and lungs. In the UK, someone experiences a potentially life-threatening asthma attack every 10 seconds.

Why is Proper Inhaler Technique Important?
Despite 73 million inhalers being prescribed annually in the UK, over 1,000 asthma-related deaths occur each year. Misusing inhalers, often due to poor technique, is a significant factor in worsening symptoms and attacks, which can be fatal. This issue can be addressed by teaching asthma patients proper inhaler use.

How to Stop This from Happening
Many asthmatics misuse their inhalers, often due to a lack of understanding or improper training. Proper education can prevent symptoms from worsening and reduce the risk of asthma attacks.

At Allesley Pharmacy, we offer an inhaler technique service to ensure you’re getting the most out of your device.

Getting to Know Your Inhaler
Asthma inhaler therapy involves two key types of inhalers:

• Preventer Inhaler: Contains steroids (sometimes with a long-acting bronchodilator) to reduce inflammation. It must be used daily to control symptoms and minimise the need for a reliever inhaler.
• Reliever Inhaler: Provides short-term relief for symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath. Using this inhaler more than twice a day or exceeding two inhalers per year may indicate improper use of the preventer inhaler or the need for an adjustment in dosage or strength.

Common Inhaler Technique Issues
Many patients face challenges in using their inhalers correctly, such as:

• Not shaking the inhaler before use.
• Holding the inhaler incorrectly.
• Failing to exhale fully before activating the inhaler.
• Activating the inhaler too early or too late during inhalation.
• Breathing in too quickly.
• Not re-shaking the inhaler after multiple uses.

Improving Your Technique
Learning basic techniques can help optimise inhaler use and improve asthma management.

Our Services at Allesley Pharmacy
We provide a personalised inhaler technique service, including:

• Education on proper usage.
• One-to-one consultations.
• Training, monitoring, and support for patients with respiratory conditions.