New Asthma Device a Breath of Fresh Air

New Asthma Device a Breath of Fresh Air

For immediate release:

Asthma is a common disease of the lungs with symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. New Zealand has the second-highest prevalence rate of asthma in the world – about 20% of children and 15% of adults have the condition. It is the most common cause of children’s admission to hospital and it is also the most common chronic illness in adolescents. Treatment can sometimes be difficult – research has shown that in up to 93% of New Zealand asthmatics, the disease is sub-optimally controlled.

Interestingly, researcher Innes Asher (now Head of Paediatrics at Auckland ’s School of Medicine ) has found that hospital admission rates for children with asthma can almost be halved by using spacer devices with inhalers. A spacer is simply a specially designed plastic tube for use with inhalers like Ventolin® or Flixotide®. Using a spacer has been shown to offset poor inhalation technique, ensuring proper delivery of medication deep into the lungs.

However, spacer performance can be dramatically reduced by electrostatic charge or “static cling”, a common characteristic of most plastic devices. This charge can cause absorption of up to 80% of puffer medication onto the interior surface of the spacer, thus reducing the dose available for inhalation. The charge can be removed by washing the spacer with detergent but it unfortunately rapidly re-accumulates.

The latest solution is spacers made from sophisticated anti-static plastics, which can deliver up to double the inhaled medication possible via less advanced, more static-affected devices. This improvement in drug delivery can mean more predictable control of asthma symptoms. The only anti-static spacer widely available in New Zealand is the nSpire Anti-Static Pocket Chamber®. It has the added convenience of being 50% smaller than common spacers, fitting easily into a pocket, purse or child’s schoolbag. It is available in pharmacies nationwide or through Allergy NZ at www.allergy.org.nz.

ENDS

Price:
RRP $30.00

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