Now, health care professionals and patients can quickly help achieve optimal delivery from MDIs and DPIs with the In-Check® DIAL.
This accurate low-range inspiratory flow meter stimulates the air flow resistance of the most popular inhalers. It enables clinicians to train patients to use more or less inspiratory force, to achieve their optimal flow rate with a particular MDI or DPI device. This provides best deposition of medication into the lungs.
The In-Check DIAL is a hand held inspiratory flow measurement device with a dial top. The DIAL orifices have been designed to stimulate the resistance of popular inhaler devices such as MDIs, DPIs, Turbuhaler®, and Diskus®. Custom resistance adapters are available.
The In-Check DIAL is supplied with a sterilizable plastic mouthpiece and an adapter which enables you to use a pediatric mouthpiece, if necessary.
The transparent body permits a visual inspection before use, and if required, one-way disposable mouthpiece or a bacterial/viral filter can be used to minimize the risk of cross infection.
In-Check DIAL Inhaler Technique Training and Assessment Tool. Retrieved from http://alliancetechmedical.com/products/check-dial-training-device/.
If you're planning a vacation, and you or your child have allergies or asthma, proper planning can help you keep sneezes, sniffles, wheezing, and coughing under control. Use the following tips as a checklist from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) to make sure that allergy misery doesn't derail your vacation fun.
Do your Homework:
- Check weather and pollen forecasts for your U.S. vacation choices, then plan accordingly. For example, if you're allergic to ragweed, New York can be significantly better early in August rather than later.
- Consider the beach or mountains. These locations are best bets for allergy sufferers any time of year. Ocean breezes are generally free of allergens, and dust mites don't thrive at elevations above 2,500 feet. Mold spores are killed by snow.
- Talk to your allergist. This is especially important if you are going to travel abroad and may need vaccinations or immunizations. You also may want to talk to your allergist about where you're going and what activities you may do. For example, locations with elevations above 5,000 feet may make breathing difficult and cold weather can be a trigger for asthma patients. Asthma patients also should discuss activities like scuba diving.
- Check access to medical care. If you are going to a remote location or on a cruise, you should inquiry about the type of medical care available.
Check Lodging Options:
- Request a non-smoking room with air conditioning (a little more difficult when traveling abroad).
- Check availability of a portable HEPA air purifier or HEPA filters for your room's air conditioner.
- Find out if wood, tile or seamless vinyl floors are available (a little less difficult when traveling abroad). Carpeting can be a breeding ground for dust mites.
- Consider renting a room with a kitchen or shipping food ahead if you have food allergies.
Pack your Suitcase:
- Medications. Don't forget to put them in your carry-on luggage — and in the original bottles to avoid questions from airport security and customs agents. Make sure you pack quick-relief medications for asthma and an epinephrine kit if you or a family member has food or insect sting allergies. You also might want to bring a topical hydrocortisone cream and an over-the-counter antihistamine.
- Shots. If you're being treated with allergy shots, make sure you get your scheduled shot before you leave. If you will be traveling for more than a few weeks, ask your allergist to provide a treatment dose to take with you, and the name of a local allergist who can give you the shot.
- Pillowcase. Consider packing your mite-proof pillowcases to help keep dust mites under control.
- Peak flow meter and nebulizer. These can help you monitor your breathing and deliver medication. Many nebulizers come with an adaptor you can plug into your car. If you are traveling abroad, make sure you bring an adaptor to convert the electrical current.
- Wipes for trays and tables. This can help protect travelers with food allergies.
- Translated information on your allergies. This can be shared with a chef when dining out in a foreign country.
Continue reading "Asthma and Allergy-free Vacations"
Patients who have COPD and asthma can benefit greatly from using a nebulizer to administer breathing treatments at home.
There is a correct way to take these treatments to get the most benefit. Do you know these tips?
1) Breath in and out through your mouth. If you get light headed, you're breathing too fast.
2) Every third breath, take in a deeper breath and hold for an extra count.
3) Treatments using your Pari Neb Kit should take no longer than 8-10 minutes. Any longer than that and your compressor may be aging.
4) Stop several times while taking your treatment to make yourself cough. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and capture any mucus that moves up.
5) After you're done with your treatment, wait five minutes and then make yourself cough again.
If you only use a pocket inhaler, you may want to speak to your healthcare provider about using a nebulizer at home. You'll get much better results than with a pocket inhaler.
Summer brings warmer weather, swimming pools, and ice cream cones. But for those with asthma, it can be a trying time.
Changes in air quality caused by pollution and an abundance of pollen can trigger asthma symptoms. Here are some tips for patients with asthma to help cope with these conditions:
- Check the Air Quality Index before heading outside on especially hot, humid days. This can be done through your local weather station or by visiting the EPA's website here. Pay attention to the AQI which measures the amount of air mixed with pollutants as well as the pollen level.
- Use your inhaler, as advised by your physician, before you exercise. Be sure to take your medication as prescribed.
- If you plan to be outside for an extended period of time, always make sure you have your medication or fast-acting inhaler.
- Avoid sleeping with the windows open, if possible.
Source: Tips for Beating the Summer Heat for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers. Better Breathing Center. Retrieved June 17, 2013 from http://www.betterbreathingcenter.net/AboutDrReinheimer/FromtheDoctorsDesk/tabid/10760/ContentPubID/103605/settmid/39789/Default.aspx.
There has been some exciting news for patients suffering from pulmonary problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A study released last year by
The Saban Research Institute has isolated an enzyme critical to lung function.
This enzyme, which they have named
Eya1, is a protein phosphatase and has been identified as being integral in regulating lung epithelial. This enzyme also helps regulate other molecules and proteins which are critical to optimal lung function.
Future testing and studies will need to be done, but right now it is thought that manipulating the enzyme's activity may aid in lung tissue regeneration which may improve the condition of patients suffering from asthma or COPD.
The study was published
here in the Journal of Cell Science.
Also in the news recently, a
protein linked to COPD exacerbation, a
compound found in blue-green algae, and the
PKC enzyme, which could all help with COPD treatment.