Understanding Inhalers for Chronic Lung Disease Many people with chronic lung disease including asbestos-related lung disease, COPD, and asthma, use inhalers regularly to treat their symptoms. However, some don't understand the different types of inhalers and how to use them. Understanding the function of a medication helps those using it manage their disease. There are two main types of inhalers - rescue and maintenance. Rescue inhalers are meant to be used when patients are wheezing or feel their chest is tight and they cannot get a proper breath. Rescue inhalers contain medications called bronchodilators that help open the airways. It kicks in within minutes but only lasts for 3-4 hours. Some patients also use these medications before exercise to help decrease breathlessness with activity. Albuterol which goes by the brand name Ventolin or ProAir, and Levalbuterol, also known as Xopenex, are the most common rescue inhalers. Maintenance inhalers are different and there are various versions, some with only one medication and some with two or three. Most contain at least one long-acting bronchodilator. In contrast to the medication in a rescue inhaler, the bronchodilator in the maintenance inhaler takes a while to kick in but stays in the body for 12-24 hours. When taken once or twice daily as prescribed, maintenance inhalers help prevent acute episodes where a rescue inhaler is needed. Many maintenance inhalers contain an inhaled steroid, sometimes by itself but often combined with the long-acting bronchodilator. Inhaled steroids also act more slowly and stay in the body for 12-24 hours decreasing inflammation in the airways and helping decrease mucous production. Because an inhaled steroid is targeted and delivered directly to the lungs, it has fewer side effects than a steroid taken orally or by injection. A few of the newer inhalers contain three ingredients, two different long-acting bronchodilators plus an inhaled steroid. Not all inhaler types are appropriate for all the different lung diseases. Because of pre-existing medical conditions or possible interactions with other medications, the right inhaler, or combination of inhalers, must be carefully chosen for each patient in coordination with their treating provider. An inhaler may not help everyone with lung disease. Some may only need a rescue inhaler, especially if they don't use it often. Others may need both a rescue and a maintenance inhaler for optimum control of their symptoms. Talk to your provider if you have questions about your medications. Diagnosed CARD patients usually review their need for medications at their annual follow-up appointment. If you are due for an appointment, or if you have lived/worked in Lincoln County for at least 6 months at least 10 years ago and are interested in screening for asbestos-related disease, please call CARD at (406) 293-9274 CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355. Ongoing care not covered. SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH 19500 Understanding Inhalers for Chronic Lung Disease Many people with chronic lung disease including asbestos - related lung disease , COPD , and asthma , use inhalers regularly to treat their symptoms . However , some don't understand the different types of inhalers and how to use them . Understanding the function of a medication helps those using it manage their disease . There are two main types of inhalers - rescue and maintenance . Rescue inhalers are meant to be used when patients are wheezing or feel their chest is tight and they cannot get a proper breath . Rescue inhalers contain medications called bronchodilators that help open the airways . It kicks in within minutes but only lasts for 3-4 hours . Some patients also use these medications before exercise to help decrease breathlessness with activity . Albuterol which goes by the brand name Ventolin or ProAir , and Levalbuterol , also known as Xopenex , are the most common rescue inhalers . Maintenance inhalers are different and there are various versions , some with only one medication and some with two or three . Most contain at least one long - acting bronchodilator . In contrast to the medication in a rescue inhaler , the bronchodilator in the maintenance inhaler takes a while to kick in but stays in the body for 12-24 hours . When taken once or twice daily as prescribed , maintenance inhalers help prevent acute episodes where a rescue inhaler is needed . Many maintenance inhalers contain an inhaled steroid , sometimes by itself but often combined with the long - acting bronchodilator . Inhaled steroids also act more slowly and stay in the body for 12-24 hours decreasing inflammation in the airways and helping decrease mucous production . Because an inhaled steroid is targeted and delivered directly to the lungs , it has fewer side effects than a steroid taken orally or by injection . A few of the newer inhalers contain three ingredients , two different long - acting bronchodilators plus an inhaled steroid . Not all inhaler types are appropriate for all the different lung diseases . Because of pre - existing medical conditions or possible interactions with other medications , the right inhaler , or combination of inhalers , must be carefully chosen for each patient in coordination with their treating provider . An inhaler may not help everyone with lung disease . Some may only need a rescue inhaler , especially if they don't use it often . Others may need both a rescue and a maintenance inhaler for optimum control of their symptoms . Talk to your provider if you have questions about your medications . Diagnosed CARD patients usually review their need for medications at their annual follow - up appointment . If you are due for an appointment , or if you have lived / worked in Lincoln County for at least 6 months at least 10 years ago and are interested in screening for asbestos - related disease , please call CARD at ( 406 ) 293-9274 CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355 . Ongoing care not covered . SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH 19500