Can people with asthma use inhalers or nebulizers to spray their medication into their mouths while fasting? Will their fast be invalid?
This question often arises for people with asthma who want to fast smoothly. For those who are looking for an answer, here is an explanation.
Types of Inhalers for Asthma
Before discussing whether inhalers or nebulizers can be used during fasting, it is necessary to know that inhalers are the most commonly used asthma medication by asthma sufferers.
In general, inhalers work by turning liquid or powder asthma medication into vapor that is delivered to the airways through the mouth. However, there are several types of inhalers that can be used, including:
- Metered-dose inhaler (MDI): a small tube-shaped inhaler with a cone at the end. It contains a measured dose of asthma medication.
- Soft mist inhaler (SMI): this inhaler produces a soft mist that contains more medication particles than MDI inhalers.
- Dry powder inhaler: this inhaler is suitable for people with asthma who have difficulty pressing the device while breathing, although it requires stronger breathing effort to use.
- Nebulizer: this device works like an inhaler, which turns liquid or powder asthma medication into vapor, but it is larger and requires electricity, making it difficult to carry around.
The Impact of Inhalers or Nebulizers on Fasting
After knowing the types of inhalers available, the question now is whether using inhalers or nebulizers during fasting will invalidate the fast? Almost all Islamic jurists agree that intentionally inhaling smoke, vapor, and mist until it reaches the throat can invalidate the fast.
This is in line with what is revealed in the Kuwait Fiqh Encyclopedia:
Using incense, for example, by delivering its smoke to the throat, then it breaks the fast. As for smelling the scent of incense or the like without inhaling its smoke into the throat, it does not break the fast even if the scent comes to him and he inhales it, because the scent has no substance. So, whoever inhales its smoke by his own doing to his throat, in any way of inhalation - his fast is broken, even if he smelled it and inhaled its smoke, remembering his fast. This is because it is possible to protect oneself from inhaling into the throat and brain whatever invalidates the fast.
In conclusion, using inhalers or nebulizers during fasting can invalidate the fast if the mist or vapor reaches the throat. However, it is still possible to use them during fasting by taking extra care not to inhale the mist or vapor into the throat. It is recommended for people with asthma to consult their doctor and Islamic scholars to get a better understanding of how to use inhalers or nebulizers while fasting without invalidating the fast.
Photo: iStock
0 Comments