inhalant (redirected from Volatile substance abuse)

inhalant /in·hal·ant/ (in-hāl´ant)

1. something meant to be inhaled; see inhalation (def. 3).

2. a class of psychoactive substances whose volatile vapors are subject to abuse.

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antifoaming inhalant  an agent that is inhaled as a vapor to prevent the formation of foam in the respiratory passages of a patient with pulmonary edema.

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in·ha·lant (n-hlnt)

adj.

Used in or for inhaling.

n.

Something that is inhaled, especially a drug that is delivered to the respiratory passages by a nebulizer or an aerosol container.

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Inhalant

Medicine that is breathed into the lungs.

Mentioned in: Antiasthmatic Drugs

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inhalant

[inhā′lənt]

a substance introduced into the body by inhalation. It may be a medication, such as an aerosol, administered in respiratory therapy or a volatile chemical that is abused, such as toluene, used in glue sniffing.

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inhalant (inhā´lnt),

n a medicine to be inhaled.

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inhalant

a substance that is or may be taken into the body by way of the nose and trachea, that is through the respiratory system, e.g. gaseous anesthetics.

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canine inhalant dermatitis

see atopy.

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inhalant

Public health A potentially hazardous particle, liquid or solid, which may be present in environmental air, and inhaled into small airways and alveoli. See Aerosol, Dust, Fiber, Fume, Gas, Mist, Vapor Substance abuse A term used in 2 contexts: 1. Nitrates–vasodilators that allegedly prolong orgasm; 2. Solvents, which produce euphoria through neurotoxicity SA, nitrates Effects Vasodilation, ↑ blood flow to heart; may prolong orgasm Uses Relieves anginal pain Examples Amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate, isobutyl nitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin, nitrous oxide, isobutylnitrite SA, neurotoxins Effects Bronchodilation, CNS depressant, metabolic inhibitor Examples Freon, tetrahydrocarbons, benzol-based emollients and derivatives, toluene-based compounds, ethyl ether, volatile solvents, aerosols, adhesives, etc Commonly abused products Air freshener, carburator cleaners, correction fluid,  spray deodorant, gasoline, glue, hairspray, lighter fluid, markers, nail polish remover, octane booster, paint thinner, rubber cement, spot remover, spray shoe polish, spray paint–especially gold and silver

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Patient discussion about Volatile substance abuse.

Q. Does steroids make children shorter? My 10 years-old son has asthma, and is treated with a steroid inhaler. Will this treatment cause him to be shorter in the future?

A. Lower doses of inhaled steroids were generally found to have a smaller effect on growth.
However, it seems that there is compensation for the growth delay, for example by growing for longer periods, so that the long term effect is apparently minimal.

Q. How can I know the inhaler is empty? My 8 years-old boy has asthma and he takes steroids with inhaler. Every time it runs out of med we get a prescription for a new one. Is that OK? A friend that her son is treated with similar inhaler told me that towards the end it no longer delivers enough medication. How can I know I should get a new one?

A. Here is a video you may find usefull:
<br><object width='425' height='355' id='FiveminPlayer'><param name='allowfullscreen' value='true'/><param name='movie' value='http://www.5min.com/Embeded/8938/'/><embed src='http://www.5min.com/Embeded/8938/' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='425' height='355' allowfullscreen='true'></embed></object>

Q. What are the side effects for the regular asthma inhalers? I am taking an inhaler (non-steroid one) for my asthma and I wanted to know what can be possible side effects to this treatment.

A. Simple inhalers that contain a material that helps with keeping the bronchi not constricted, have side effects that are related to the sympathetic nervous system- such as slight tremor, small increase in heart rate or blood pressure, but these are all in greater risk when taking in a not-inhaled way. Patients must be cautioned against using these medicines too frequently, as with such use their efficacy may decline, producing desensitization resulting in an exacerbation of symptoms which may lead to refractory asthma, meaning that the attack might not be relieved by these medications anymore.