EIB Inhaler Use: How to Use Inhalers Correctly and Avoid Common Mistakes

When you have exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, a condition where physical activity triggers narrowing of the airways. Also known as EIB, it affects athletes, kids in gym class, and adults who get winded during a walk or run. The right inhaler, a handheld device that delivers medication directly to the lungs can stop symptoms before they start—but only if you use it right.

Most people with EIB use a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol, taken 15 to 30 minutes before exercise. But here’s the catch: over half of users don’t inhale properly. They spray the puff and breathe in too fast, too shallow, or too late. That means the medicine hits the back of the throat, not the lungs. No surprise then that symptoms keep coming back. Using a spacer—a simple plastic tube that holds the puff until you breathe it in—can double the amount of drug reaching your airways. It’s cheap, easy, and often ignored. And timing matters too. Waiting too long after spraying means the mist evaporates before you can inhale. Waiting too soon means you’re not ready to take a deep breath. The sweet spot is one slow, deep breath right after the puff.

It’s not just about the inhaler. People forget to shake it, don’t clean the mouthpiece, or use an expired canister. Some even use it after the counter hits zero, thinking it still works. Others take it only when they’re already wheezing—by then, it’s too late. EIB isn’t an emergency. It’s a predictable reaction. Prevent it. Use your inhaler like a tool, not a last resort. And if you’re on a daily controller like an inhaled steroid, don’t skip it thinking the rescue inhaler is enough. They do different jobs. One fixes inflammation over time. The other opens the airway right now.

You don’t need to be an expert to get this right. But you do need to be consistent. Watch a video from a pharmacist. Ask your doctor to watch you use it. Try a checklist: shake, exhale, press and breathe slow, hold for 5 seconds, wait a minute if you need a second puff. Simple. No apps. No gadgets. Just the right move, at the right time.

Below, you’ll find real-world advice from people who’ve been there—how to spot when your inhaler isn’t working, what to do if you’re still struggling after using it, and how to tell if it’s EIB or something else. No fluff. Just what works.