A Dry powder inhaler (DPI) is a device that takes medication to the lungs in the form of a dry powder. DPIs are commonly used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD and others.
A Diskus is a portable dry powder inhaler device that delivers the measured dose of medication in a fine powder form. It is breath-actuated, which means you just have to breathe in quickly and deeply to use it.
These usually have a combination of long acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids and are recommended for daily usage. Patients with Asthma, COPD and allergies are sometimes prescribed the Diskus Inhalers.
The Diskus inhaler is made up following parts generally:
- Dose release lever
- Mouth piece
- Thumb grip
- Attached cover
All these parts are clearly shown in the use-inhaler videos and apps. The website also shows how these parts fit together and really useful training materials for first timers or repeat users.
Like all MDIs the Diskus has its own way of usage:
- First you need to check the dose counter (you’ll find it on the right of front side of Diskus. For the first time user it is not required to check.
- To hold it you need to use both your hands especially if you are not yet adjusted to it. To slide open the Diskus you need to use the thumb grip until you hear a click.
- You need to hold the inhaler horizontally, and to load the dose slide the lever downwards, till it reaches the end getting a click.
- As the MDI method you need to breathe out completely before starting inhalation.
- Now place your lips tightly around the mouth piece.
- Then take a deep breath and continue doing so for next 3 seconds to get the medication perfectly.
- Hold your breath for 5 seconds minimum. Then slowly breathe out away from Diskus.
- This step is essential as if you breathe out away from your Disks it will remain moisture-free, ensuring that no drug particle get clumped up inside and giving you full and fresh dosage every time.
A picture is worth thousand words and use-inhalers.com videos and apps are just like that. They are very powerful training tools and help repeat this process with you. They make adherence a breeze.
Few factors are needed to be remembered that you need to breathe forcefully and quickly as slowly breathing will not generate enough force to bring out the medicine from Diskus.
Holding your breath for a minimum span of 5 seconds will enable maximum deposition of the drugs inside your lungs.
Don’t forget to close the Diskus as it contains medicines in the form of powder and if you lay it open the medicine inside gets clumped due to the moisture outside in the air. You have to hold the Diskus horizontally as the medicine is stored in a small chamber and hence if you hold in any way the medicine might get displaced and may prevent taking the proper dose.
Using the use-inhaler.com tools for breathing and measuring you can become a pro at these.
Therefore please be careful while using it. The MDIs are easier than Diskus. It needs slow inhalation but in case of Diskus you need to have quick breathing
There are a number of MDIs available in the market with different techniques. To understand them is a tricky task. But Diskus is easier from that point and with use-inhaler.com diskus app things are smooth.
Some seniors have found these inhalers to be difficult to use due to difficulty to quick breathe. Using our patented techniques even seniors can benefit from use-inhaler.com videos.