In various respiratory diseases, inhalation has long been considered the best treatment. Now this procedure is greatly facilitated, as special devices are produced - nebulizers. With their help, you can make inhalation for both an adult and a child. But for the procedure to be truly effective, it is important to know how to breathe with a nebulizer.
There are several varieties of such devices, each of them has its own characteristics of use. But if you study the instructions and do everything correctly, this will significantly improve the condition for diseases of the respiratory tract and speed up recovery.
Features of inhalation with a nebulizer
This modern device has made the treatment of respiratory diseases easier and more effective. Such therapy receives many positive reviews both from patients and from doctors. After all, a nebulizer is a device that ensures the penetration of drugs directly into the respiratory tract. Moreover, the therapeutic agent is sprayed into the smallest particles and delivered to the respiratory system, regardless of the patient's efforts.
This made it possible to carry out inhalations for all patients. With the help of a nebulizer, it is possible to treat even infants, the elderly, patients during an attack of bronchial asthma, and patients after operations.
It is convenient that in addition to conducting inhalation in a medical facility, such procedures can be performed at home. There are nebulizers for home use. Such a device is recommended to be purchased by everyone who often suffers from colds.
What are nebulizers
The conversion of the drug to aerosol occurs under the influence of certain forces. Modern nebulizers are of two types: compressor and ultrasound. They form an aerosol composed of minute particles. This allows you to deliver it to the nasal passages, bronchi and lungs. Each of the types of such devices has certain features of work and application.
Compressor nebulizers operate due to the air flow generated by the compressor. It passes through a drug solution and sprays it into particles. Such types of nebulizers are the most affordable, as they are inexpensive and can be used to spray any medicinal solutions. But they are rather bulky and noisy, which limits their use.
The characteristics of nebulizers working with ultrasound are slightly different. They are compact, noiseless, create fine particles entering even the smallest alveoli of the bronchi. Moreover, almost 90% of the drug is delivered to the respiratory tract.
But not all drugs can be used with ultrasonic nebulizers. For example, antibiotics, oil solutions, hormonal agents and mucolytics are not used in such devices.
You can also purchase a more modern option - a mesh nebulizer. The principle of its action is also based on ultrasonic vibrations, but the peculiarity is that the medicine passes through the reticular membrane and breaks up into tiny particles. In such devices, you can use different drugs, they are compact and silent.
Benefits of using them
Now various nebulizers for adults and children help to alleviate the condition with respiratory diseases. Such devices make the treatment of many diseases more effective. Using a nebulizer has advantages over conventional inhalation therapy:
- the procedure can be performed at any age;
- no effort is required from the patient, you do not even need to adjust your breathing to the operation of the device;
- there is no need to take a deep breath during the procedure, which is especially important for patients with bronchial asthma;
- with this administration of drugs, they rarely cause side effects;
- the drug enters the respiratory tract in a continuous stream and in the form of small particles;
- the drug begins to act almost immediately;
- safe medications are used for inhalation;
- The procedure is comfortable and simple.
When to apply?
Now many people who often have colds or suffer from asthma, doctors recommend purchasing such a device. Moreover, more modern models of mesh nebulizers appeared on sale, which are compact and convenient to use. Such devices are simply necessary in a family where there is a small child who often catches a cold, as well as for people with chronic bronchopulmonary diseases. Such inhalers are effective for alleviating the condition with professional laryngitis and allergic cough in teachers, singers, actors, and chemical workers.
Such a procedure quickly eases the patient's condition, as the drug begins to act immediately. Therefore, nebulizers are often used in case of an attack of bronchial asthma or an allergic reaction. In addition, such devices are necessary for people with chronic diseases. The nebulizer is effective in chronic bronchitis, bronchial obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic rhinitis, cystic fibrosis. In addition, such inhalations are widely used for colds, rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, SARS.
Medications for nebulizers
Typically, such devices use special solutions for inhalation or mucolytic and expectorant drugs. The main thing is to consult with your doctor about their dosage. Typically, the amount of the drug together with the solvent for one procedure is 2-5 ml, depending on the age of the patient. First, 2 ml of physiological saline is added to the device, then - the required amount of medication. Only special solutions for the nebulizer are used without additional substances.
Inhalations with such a device are carried out with drugs that are prescribed by the doctor depending on the disease. It is not recommended to use decoctions of herbs, essential oils, as well as solutions of drugs of your choice. Not all medicines are intended for inhalation, so only special products should be used.
- When coughing, mucolytics and mucus thinners are used. This is Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Fluimucil.
- With bronchitis and bronchial asthma, bronchodilators are needed. They expand the bronchi and facilitate breathing: “Salamol”, “Berodual”, “Ventolin”.
- In case of allergic reactions, hormonal agents are used, for example, Pulmicort. There are also antihistamines for nebulizers, for example, Cromohexal.
- For colds and viral diseases, inhalations with saline or alkaline mineral water can be given. Although many doctors are inclined to believe that mineral water is still better to use for its intended purpose - to drink.
Instructions for use nebulizer
Using this device is quite easy. Modern nebulizers have a simple design. They are easy to assemble, turn on and store after use.
The main thing is to carefully study the instructions for use of the nebulizer before first use. The actions of the patient during inhalation are simple:
- wash hands with soap;
- assemble the device;
- pour the medicine heated to room temperature into the nebulizer container;
- close the device, connect it to the face mask and compressor;
- put on a mask and turn on the nebulizer;
- carry out inhalation for 7-10 minutes;
- turn off and disassemble the nebulizer;
- rinse it with hot water;
- dry well;
- with frequent use once a week, disinfect the device with ten minutes of boiling or with a steam sterilizer.
Rules for inhalation
In order for such a procedure to be effective, it is necessary to choose the right device and medicine for it. But it is equally important to know how to breathe a nebulizer. There are certain rules of the procedure that must be observed:
- carry out inhalation in a calm state;
- clothes should not hinder breathing;
- the procedure should be carried out no earlier than an hour and a half after a meal or exercise;
- no need to breathe deeply, this can lead to hyperventilation;
- it is undesirable to rinse the throat and mouth with antiseptic agents before the procedure, as well as take any expectorant drugs;
- after inhalation, rinse your mouth with clean water, and if a mask was used, wash your face;
- after the procedure, you can not eat and drink for an hour, it is also undesirable to talk;
- the duration of inhalation is usually not more than 10 minutes, a total of 5 to 15 procedures are performed;
- you can carry out this procedure several times a day, but not more than three.
How to breathe with a cold
Nebulizers are often used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, or a runny nose in viral diseases. This procedure helps to moisturize the nasal mucosa, eliminates crusts, dilutes mucus and accelerates its excretion. Inhalation ensures a constant flow of the drug and its uniform distribution over the entire surface of the mucosa.
In modern devices for this there is a special cannula inserted into the nose. But you can use the face mask. You need to breathe during inhalation through the nose, calmly and shallowly. If the nose is stuffed up, you should not make any efforts to inhale.
Cough inhalation
It is very important to know how to breathe properly with a nebulizer for diseases of the throat, bronchi and lungs. Inhalation is preferably carried out in a sitting position. You need to breathe in calmly, through the mouth. For diseases of the throat, it is desirable that it be wide open. After inhaling, it is advisable to hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale through your nose.
If inhalation is performed to treat diseases of the bronchi or lungs, it is better to breathe through a special mouthpiece. This procedure ensures the penetration of the drug into the most distant parts of the respiratory tract, moisturizing the mucous membrane, diluting sputum and making it easier to excrete.
Contraindications and side effects
If you know how to properly breathe in a nebulizer and follow the instructions, this procedure is usually well tolerated by patients of any age. Sometimes negative reactions to the administered drug solution may occur, which manifest as coughing. In this case, you just need to stop the procedure and breathe quietly without an inhaler for a while. If you inhale very deeply, you may experience symptoms of hyperventilation, such as dizziness or nausea. In this case, stop inhalation and calm down.
Inhalation to children
Such procedures can be carried out by the child only after consulting a doctor. It is important to use drugs only those that are recommended by a specialist. The duration of inhalation is determined by the age of the child - usually from 1 minute in babies to 3-5 minutes at an older age. Children are better off using special appliances. The best children's nebulizers are silent, have a fun shape and color. But you should not force a child if he was afraid of the device, there will be no benefit from such a procedure.
Best Nebulizers: An Overview
For effective treatment, it is important to choose the right device. You can consult a doctor, as often his choice depends on the characteristics of the disease. But you can focus on reviews. The most popular are several models:
- A compact and inexpensive compressor nebulizer made in Switzerland by B.Well WN-112 K. It has a complete set of adult and children's masks, designed to treat diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
- The Omron Compair Ne compressor nebulizer is considered the best for a large family. It is compact, can work for a long time, it can be used even for an infant.
- If most often the device is needed for the treatment of colds, you can purchase an ultrasonic nebulizer AND UN-232. It is able to warm the medicinal solution, therefore it is effective for sore throats.