Hot off the Helpline: June edition

Top questions on the helpline this month

How can I get a nebuliser to help me with my COPD?

Many people living with COPD wonder whether a nebuliser might help their symptoms. While nebulisers can be an important part of treatment for some people, they are not necessary or suitable for everyone with a lung condition.

If you are considering a nebuliser, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare professional, who can assess your symptoms, current treatment and individual needs.

A nebuliser is a device that delivers medication as a fine mist that is breathed into the lungs over several minutes. Unlike inhalers, nebulisers are electric devices, but both are designed to deliver medication directly to the lungs.

For many people with COPD or other lung conditions, inhalers remain the preferred way of delivering medication and can be just as effective when used correctly.

Nebulisers, however, can form an important part of treatment for some people with respiratory conditions. For example, some medications can only be delivered through the use of a nebuliser. Or they can be used as part of airway clearance treatments advised by a respiratory physiotherapist. Nebuliser medication and treatment regimes should be prescribed and monitored by a specialist respiratory team.

Only buy or use a nebuliser if it has been recommended by your healthcare professional. They can advise whether a nebuliser is appropriate for you, prescribe any medication needed and provide guidance on how to use it safely and effectively.

Find out more about nebulisers.

I am on oxygen, but worried about using it at home. Can you advise me?

It can feel daunting when you first start using oxygen at home, but your oxygen equipment provider will explain how to use the equipment safely and answer any questions you may have. Their aim is to help you feel confident and supported when using oxygen at home.

It's important to remember that oxygen is a prescribed treatment, just like any other medication. Your healthcare professional will decide whether oxygen is appropriate for you, the type of equipment you need, how many hours a day you should use it for and the flow rate that is right for you.

Oxygen should only be used as prescribed. Using oxygen differently from the way it has been prescribed may mean it is less effective and, in some circumstances, may be harmful. If you have any concerns about your oxygen treatment, speak to your healthcare professional before making any changes.

If you experience any problems with your oxygen equipment, your oxygen supplier will provide a 24-hour contact number for support. If you become acutely unwell or your breathing suddenly worsens, seek urgent medical advice.

You can find information on using home oxygen safely, exercising while using oxygen and travelling with oxygen, including planning holidays and trips away.

What do you want to know more about?

Next month we’ll be answering your questions, so tell us what you'd like to know from us in next month’s edition?

Let us know, and we may feature your question in a future blog. Your question can help you to learn more, as well as help the wider community.

You can write in with your questions via Helpline@asthmaandlung.org.uk

Healthy lung habits

Each month, we talk about a healthy habit that you can adopt to help keep your lungs healthy. This month we discuss the importance of outdoor air pollution on your lung health.

Air pollution is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK and has a significant impact on our health. Long-term exposure to air pollution (over years or lifetimes) reduces life expectancy, mainly due to its effects on our cardiovascular and lung health. Air pollution can be a major contributing factor toward the development of COPD and may worsen existing lung conditions. It can also cause lung cancer. Short-term exposure (over hours or days) to high levels of air pollution can trigger asthma symptoms and put you at risk of an asthma attack. It can cause a flare-up of lung conditions and COPD, and can lead to increased hospital admissions and even deaths. Ozone and particle pollution are the most widespread pollutants and are among the most dangerous.

Find out more about how you can protect yourself.

What tips and tools do you need in your lung health toolkit?

Spacers

A spacer is an essential piece of kit if you use an inhaler. It’s a tube or chamber that attaches to your pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI) -  sometimes called a ‘puffer’. It makes it easier to breathe in your inhaled medication and helps more of the medication reach your lungs. If you look at our respiratory system we have a 90 degree angle right at the start of our airways and it can make it harder to get the right amount of medication for to reach our lungs.

The spacer connects to your puffer’s mouthpiece and gives medication the ‘space’ to slow down so you can breathe it in slowly and deeply. This helps the medication get straight to where it’s needed in your lungs in the right doses. It can also help reduce side effects such as irritation, hoarseness or oral thrush because less medication ends up in your mouth and throat. 

Who should use a spacer?

Many people using a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) may benefit from using a spacer.

Children and adults who use a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) should use a spacer where possible. A spacer helps more medication reach your lungs, and less remains in your mouth and throat, making your treatment more effective and reducing the risk of side effects such as hoarseness and oral thrush.

Using a spacer can also make it easier to coordinate pressing your inhaler and breathing in at the same time, helping you get the maximum benefit from your medication.

For children and adults who are able to use one, a spacer with a mouthpiece is recommended, as it delivers medication more effectively than a face mask. Face masks are generally used for babies, young children and people who are unable to use a mouthpiece.

Check with your pharmacist or HCP if you are unsure if your inhaler should be used with a spacer

We have videos showing you how to correctly use your spacer.

Webinar spotlight

On Tuesday, 9 June, at 9.30 am, we’ll be running a webinar covering  inhaler technique for parents and carers of children with asthma

Join us for this webinar, led by Deborah Waddell, one of our expert respiratory specialist nurses.

Find out more and register.

Dates for your diary

Carers week

8-14 June 2026

Carers week is a week to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. If you care for someone with a lung condition, we have support for you.

National Clean Air Day

18 June 2026

A chance for the whole country to come together and improve air quality through collective action.

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of the blog. Remember to send us your questions on Helpline@asthmaandlung.org.uk and we may feature them in a future blog.