Why You Need a Spacer: Getting the Most from Your Inhaler This Asthma Season
It is cold and flu season!!! If you or your child uses an albuterol inhaler, you’ve probably been told to use a chamber (also called a spacer). It may look like a simple plastic tube, but it plays a decisive role in helping your medication reach your lungs—right where it’s needed.
Why Technique Matters
Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are tricky. When you press the canister, a fine mist of medicine is released at high speed. Without a chamber, most of that mist hits the back of your throat or tongue instead of your airways. That means less medication reaches your lungs—and your relief may be slower or less effective.
What the Spacer Does
A spacer acts like a holding chamber. It traps the medicine so you can breathe it in slowly and deeply, even if your timing isn’t perfect. For children—or adults who struggle to coordinate inhalers—it’s the best way to ensure proper delivery.
Benefits include:
💨 More medicine reaches your lungs
🚫 Less residue in your mouth and throat
💧 Reduced risk of hoarseness or oral irritation
⏱️ Easier, slower breathing pattern for better control
When to Use It
Always use a chamber with:
Albuterol or levalbuterol inhalers (rescue inhalers)
Steroid inhalers like Flovent, QVAR, or Symbicort (to reduce oral side effects)
How to Use It Correctly
The American Lung Association has a helpful visual guide:
➡️ How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler with a Spacer (Adults)
➡️ How to Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler with Spacer (Children)
Remember to rinse your mouth and clean your spacer weekly with mild soap and water. Replace it every 6–12 months or if it becomes cracked or cloudy.
What to Do If You Don’t Have a Spacer
Suppose you ever find yourself without your chamber and need to use your rescue inhaler. In that case, there is a simple (and effective) alternative that can help deliver your medicine more efficiently.
📰 How To Make Your Own Asthma Spacer Using a Plastic Bottle (Forbes Health)
🎥 DIY Spacer for Asthma Inhalers – YouTube
Final Thought
It’s incredible how much difference one small tool can make. Using your inhaler with a spacer can improve your medication delivery, reduce side effects, and help you breathe easier when asthma season hits.
