Inhalation Therapy In Respiratory Disorder

Good afternoon!

I am Dr. Hemant Kalra. I am a pulmonologist. Today our talk will be about inhalation therapy in respiratory disorders. So what is inhalation? Inhalation is when we give drugs or solution of drugs by nasal or oral respiratory route. Inhalation is also called inspiration. What is the inspiration? Inspiration is movement of air from external environment by our breathing pipes into our lungs. This is inhalation and inspiration also. In which conditions we use inhalation therapy? Inhalation therapy is used in Obstructive Airway Disorders. What are these disorders? These are Asthma, COPD, Bronchitis and some cases of Sarcoidosis. You may ask me why tablets and syrups are not used in such disorders?

Why inhalation therapy is preferred over tablets and syrup in such disorders because- tablets and syrup are in high doses, they are very toxic, very costly, they reach systemic blood circulation, they have got adverse side effects. When you give a drug, tablet or syrup it first enters your stomach, then via your blood stream it enters your airways where inflammation is there and where these types of drugs are required. So why to give a drug in oral or syrup form when inhalation therapies are available. Inhalation therapies takes drugs directly where it is required. Inhalation therapy can be given in various forms. First is metered dose inhaler. You might have seen inhaler people using in movies.

Dry powder inhalers are also available in market and other forms like nebulation is also available. What drugs can be given in inhalation therapies? We can give bronchodilators, which can open up the airways. We can give Cortico-steroids. Mucolytics and some antibiotics can also be given via inhalation route. Nowadays insulin is also given in inhalation route. Inhalation therapy is very very effective in certain disorders. I started this topic because I felt that we in India do not use inhalation therapy because of various myths in our society. So what are the myths? Firstly, inhalers are very costly- absolutely wrong. Secondly, inhalers are addictive- absolutely wrong. Thirdly, inhalers have got side effects- also absolutely wrong. Inhalers do not have any side effects. I can assure you this that inhalers can be given in pregnancy from day 1 to 9th month when very few drugs are recommended in pregnancy.

It can be given in any age group from 1 year to 90 years. Fifthly, inhalers are always given when disease is very severe- it is also wrong. On the contrary inhalers are recommended or should be given as early as possible in the disease. So inhalation therapy is the best option for any kind of obstructive airway disorders. I can proudly say that we have got the best inhalation technique or inhalers available in India. You must use them as advised by the doctor. Do not say no when the doctor writes an inhaler for you. It is the best option for obstructive airway disorders because it is most effective with no side effects, very cheap and can be given for many years. Thank you very much! In the nutshell please use inhalers as adviced by a doctors. Do not hesitate to take inhalers. Inhalers are best option for obstructive airway disorders, very safe, very effective, no side effect and very cheap.

Thank you very much!