It's An Easyhaler
Do you have asthma? One in ten people reading this will - asthma is the most common long-term illness for children in Britain, affecting 1.1 million, which is three children in every classroom. It isn't just a childhood illness either - Frank Lampard, David Beckham and Pink all have asthma as well.
On top of the suffering asthma causes - coughing, wheezing, and having a tight chest - it can also make you a target for bullies, who might think it is okay to tease you because they think you are different. In really bad cases bullies might try and make asthma sufferers have an attack for their amusement, like in this case in Birmingham.
A new type of inhaler has been invented, called the 'Easyhaler', which is designed to be better in a number of ways:
It is smaller than a normal inhaler: you might feel that your current inhaler, a big ugly blue or brown thing, is really obvious and might be a bit embarrassing to use in a lesson. The Easyhaler is smaller, designed to fit into your hands so it's not so obvious.
Really cleverly, this new inhaler is activated by your breathing. So instead of breathing out, then timing a big breath in with the puff, you just put it in your mouth and breathe normally, and it delivers the correct dosage. It is easy enough for children as young as six to use, and it means no noisy shaking and puffing. It also has a counter to show how much drug is left inside (so you don't run out suddenly), and it can hold twice as much as the normal inhaler, making it a lot cheaper for adults who have to pay for them.
Easyhaler has a case that it lives in, so that you can keep it in your pocket or desk and not worry that it's getting dirty (if your inhaler gets bacteria in, it could end up giving you different health problems!). Apparently the case is designed to be customised with stickers if you want to, so that it looks less medical. The case also looks much harder to lose than the little cap on a regular inhaler!
Many children with asthma say that the illness gets in the way of their playing sport; games such as football, rugby and hockey don't have regular breaks in them so it's easier to get out of breath. Hopefully the Easyhaler's smaller size and case means that it can fit in your sports bag, or pocket, without being clunky or getting damaged.
If you have ever worried that your inhaler makes people stare at you, or that you might be making noise when the classroom is really quiet, the new Easyhaler might just make life a bit easier. It is now available from doctors.
Info » Health » Health and Body Matters » Asthma
1 Comment – Postiwch sylw
CeefaxOfLife
Rhoddwyd sylw 17 mis yn ôl - 12th December 2010 - 10:59am
Easy-haler
She'll get a hold on you believe it
Like no other
Before you know it you'll be on your knees
She's an easy-haler
She'll take your heart but you won't feel it
She's like no other
And I'm just trying to make you see...