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What Are Relief Inhalers?

Relief inhalers, also called rescue inhalers or asthma inhalers, are medical devices used to immediately ease the symptoms of asthma. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, difficulty breathing and coughing, according to PubMed Health. If you are experiencing an asthma attack and your relief inhaler is not helping or your symptoms are worsening, seek medical help immediately.

  1. How Relief Inhalers Work

    • During an asthma attack, the airways in the lungs tighten up, restricting airflow, according to PubMed Health. Inhalers restore breathing by sending medication straight to your lungs to relax those tightened airways. A variety of bronchodilator medications are housed inside rescue inhalers, but they all perform the same job: opening opening air passages, notes WebMD. Albuterol is a common medication prescribed for asthma patients.

    Types of Inhalers

    • Three types of inhalers are commonly prescribed for asthma patients. Metered-dose inhalers require users to simultaneously push on the top of the canister to release a single dose of medicine while inhaling so that the medication reaches the lungs, according to MayoClinic.com. Metered-dose inhalers contain a propellant that sends the medication into the lungs, but often much of the medication is trapped in the back of the throat. Some metered-dose inhalers have spacers that propel the medicine slowly, so that more medicine reaches the lungs where it is most needed. These inhalers are bulkier than those without spacers. Dry-powder inhalers do not contain a propellant. Patients breathe in the powdered medication very quickly and deeply so that it enters the lungs. Some patients find this difficult to manage.

    Side Effects

    • The side effects associated with using a rescue inhaler are usually minor. The first time a patient uses an inhaler, he may experience dizziness or a tremor in his hands. These symptoms usually go away after the patient becomes accustomed to using the inhaler. Rarely, patients may experience an allergic reaction to albuterol, which results in rash, dizziness and increased difficulty breathing; these symptoms require immediate medical care, according to WebMD. Relief inhalers lose their efficacy over time. If you use your inhaler several times a week to control your asthma, you may need additional medication.

    Other Treatment Options

    • Inhalers are designed to be used during an attack, or before exercising to prevent an attack. Daily medications may be prescribed to prevent asthma attacks. Take these drugs every day as prescribed by your doctor, even if you are not suffering from asthma symptoms, recommends PubMed Health. Your doctor may also help you find ways to control your asthma by determining your asthma triggers; for example, if your asthma is caused by allergies, your doctor may prescribe an allergy medicine and recommend lifestyle changes that may provide relief.

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