Currently, there are many ways to deal with respiratory diseases. One of them is treatment with an inhaler. But, despite the significant growth in the popularity of devices, few people know what they generally exist, what is their difference and how to choose the right device for inhalation. Moreover, it is most important to know which inhaler is best for the baby.
Indications for use of the inhalation method
- Laryngitis.
- Chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis, bronchial asthma.
- False Croup.
- Rhinitis, sinusitis.
- Acute respiratory illness with symptoms such as dryness, coughing, sore, or sore throat.
Types and purposes of inhalers
An inhaler is a medical device with which the process of introducing drugs into the patient's body (inhalation) occurs. Inhalations are used at the first symptoms of respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, etc.
Thanks to modern inhalers, anyone can do inhalations on their own, without visiting doctors or special rooms. In addition, these devices can be used by both children and elderly people without assistance.
In modern medicine, inhalers are divided into two large groups: nebulizers and steam. In order to understand which inhaler is better for the child, we will consider each of them in more detail.
Steam inhalers
The principle of operation of this device is the evaporation of a medicinal substance. This method has a physiotherapeutic effect on the body and is most often used at home. The active substance of such an inhaler is steam with a temperature of 55-65 ° C. The vapor of the inhaler, which is used for the upper respiratory tract, dilates blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and accelerating metabolism. In addition, the procedure has a local anesthetic effect.
Disadvantages and contraindications of steam inhalation
In order to answer the question of which inhaler is best for the child, you should pay attention to the contraindications of this or that device. For example, steam inhalation is contraindicated at a body temperature of 37.5 ° C or higher. The choice of medications is also limited with steam inhalations, since when heated, most of the beneficial substances are simply destroyed. Volatile solutions are used with a boiling point not exceeding 100 ° C. Another disadvantage of steam inhalations is the large enough particle size of the vapor, which, due to its size, can affect only the upper respiratory tract.
Contraindications to the use of a steam inhaler include diseases such as cardiovascular, bleeding and blood diseases, tuberculosis.
Types and advantages of nebulizers
A nebulizer is a device for inhalation, the principle of which is to spray drugs less than 10 microns in size. That is why, when deciding which inhaler is best for a child up to one year of age or older, you should pay attention to nebulizers, since nebulized drugs can penetrate not only the upper, but also the lower respiratory tract. There is a nebulizer, dispersively spraying drugs into the body of the patient through a tube or a special mask. Once in the body, the medicine is quickly and easily absorbed, which, in turn, contributes to a quick recovery.
Nebulizers according to their features and the principle of action are divided into compressor, ultrasonic and mesh nebulizers. A more detailed description of them will help to understand which inhaler is better for the child (ultrasonic or compressor).
Compressor Nebulizers
Compressor apparatus for inhalation is the most common, so to speak, standard or standard. Having a low price and just huge demand, compressor nebulizers are able to spray almost any medicinal substance, even hormones and antibiotics. The device creates an aerosol cloud with a compressor, which forms a strong air stream through a small hole in the chamber containing the drug substance. Among the shortcomings of a compressor inhaler, it is worth noting the large dimensions, binding to the electrical system and just terrible noise up to 70 decibels.
Ultrasonic nebulizer
The principle of operation of this inhaler is to spray a therapeutic drug using ultrasound. Under the influence of high-frequency vibrations of the membranes, water forms a fountain, which turns into an aerosol and is blown out by the compressor. An ultrasonic inhaler can also be used for aromatherapy or humidification. An additional convenience in using the device is its small size and weight, and additional nozzles and masks will allow inhalation to a lying or sleeping patient. In addition, a whole cloud of finely dispersed liquid in the form of smoke is created near the device during its operation, so the child does not need to keep his face directly at the mouthpiece, it is enough to put an ultrasonic device, for example, near a crib. And this is a powerful argument in the question: “Which inhaler is better for a child?”, 1 year old or a little more - it does not matter.
Mesh Nebulizers
In this apparatus, an aerosol cloud is formed during the sifting of a liquid therapeutic substance through a vibrating metal mesh - a membrane. Among the advantages of a membrane inhaler, its portability, small size and noiselessness are especially notable. In addition, the drug substance is sprayed very finely, which allows it to penetrate deep into the patient's body. The disadvantages of the membrane apparatus include only its high cost.
Which inhaler is best for a child?
In the modern market there are many different children's inhalers, presented in the form of cars, airplanes, trains, animals, etc.
It is necessary to select an inhaler, based on the individual characteristics of the child's body. Any baby inhalation device will consist of a mouthpiece, a nasal tip and a breathing mask. Both ultrasonic and compressor inhalers are also equipped with special nozzles. These nozzles need to be selected based on the age of the child. Today, even inhalers for newborns are already on sale .
So, let us consider briefly again all the devices in order to nevertheless decide which inhaler is better for a child of 2 years, for example, or older.
Compressor inhalers are more suitable for home use. This device works using powerful air currents passing through the chamber in which the drug solution is located. A huge disadvantage of a compressor inhaler is the noise and its large dimensions.
An ultrasonic device, on the contrary, can be used both at home and on the road or on some trip, since this inhaler works on a battery. When discussing the question of which inhaler is better for the child, the reviews of many parents are more prone to an ultrasound device, due to which the fastest and easiest delivery of drugs to the child’s body occurs.
Steam inhalers also have their pros and cons. The positive characteristics include good warming of the upper respiratory tract, deep penetration of medicinal substances, rapid discharge of sputum and more. The disadvantages of a steam inhaler include a feeling of discomfort in the throat during the procedure, as well as its drying out, and when heated, the properties of some useful elements are lost.