Bronchitis is accompanied by dysfunction of the smooth muscles of the bronchi, which disrupts the secretion of sputum and worsens the process of its excretion. Accumulation of sputum in the lower respiratory tract is a favorable environment for pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in mucus. An inhaler for bronchitis helps to eliminate mucus, restores the natural secretion of sputum. With the help of the device, the healing process is much faster and more efficient. But first, we find out whether an inhaler can be used for bronchitis.
Can I use an inhaler during bronchitis?
The method of administering drugs by inhalation is effective in many diseases of the lower respiratory tract. The method helps to ease breathing. With bronchitis under the influence of a viral agent, an inflammatory process develops in the tissues of the bronchi. This leads to swelling of the bronchi, a reduction in smooth muscle, an increase in bronchial secretion. Viscous mucus causes dysfunction of the ciliary epithelium, and mucostasis forms.
Use an inhaler for bronchitis is possible and necessary. Inhalation of the sprayed particles of the drug substance cleanses the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, promotes the discharge of sputum. With the help of inhalation, the lumen of the bronchi increases, expectoration is stimulated.
The inhaler delivers the drug immediately to the site of inflammation, without loss. The drug neutralizes pathogenic bacteria, quickly eliminating inflammation. Swelling decreases, the production of bronchial secretions normalizes, the patient very soon recovers.
The inhaler is convenient for use in very young children. Due to the lack of formation of intestinal microflora, most drugs cannot be used orally, inhalation is sometimes the only method of therapy.
Types of Inhalation
For the treatment of various respiratory diseases, the most optimal type of inhalation is selected. There are several of them, and they all have their own characteristics:
- Dry - inhalation of powder or vapors of substances that do not require preliminary or passing during processing. The method does not require any equipment and in most cases is used in traditional medicine. One of the most famous recipes: onions or garlic are finely chopped and spread on a saucer, and then breathe fumes for several minutes (who have enough strength).
- Steam - inhalation of therapeutic steam. A steam inhaler for bronchitis is one of the very first and primitive, and therefore cheap, devices for treating respiratory diseases. Its prototype is a container with a hot medicinal product, the vapor of which is breathed for therapeutic purposes.
- Heat-moist - have a warming effect, but unlike steam, there is no chance of getting a burn. The convenience of such inhalations is that they can be used in a variety of medicinal substances: herbal decoctions, alcohol tinctures, special pharmaceutical solutions, saline.
- Wet - inhalations carried out with a finely divided medicinal substance without exposure to heat. This method has a minimum number of contraindications. From bronchitis, inhalers with the wet method of inhaling a medicinal substance are most suitable. As a medicine, bronchodilators are most often used.
- Oil - inhalation using essential oils and oils of medicinal herbs. For such procedures, a special device is required, as well as medicinal substances. This method of inhalation has many contraindications and side effects, so it is used only as directed by a specialist, and it is better to carry out procedures in a medical facility.
Inhalation Medicines
The selection of a medicinal substance should be carried out by a specialist. The doctor will select the medication so that it has the maximum therapeutic effect with minimal risk of side effects.
What medication is poured into the inhaler for bronchitis? The choice of drug depends on the characteristics of the cough and the type of device:
- Bronchodilating agents - drugs that prevent narrowing of the bronchi and reduce the overproduction of sputum, while not having a negative effect on the protective mechanism of the bronchial mucosa and gas exchange. The most common drugs are Berodual, Ditek, Inspirex, Fenipra, Ipraterol-aeronativ.
- Secretolytics and stimulants of motor function are drugs that help thin and eliminate sputum. Widely used are Ambrobene, Bronchoxol, Flavamed, Lazolvan.
- Antitussive - drugs that expand the bronchi, facilitate breathing, suppress cough. The most commonly prescribed drugs are Stoptussin (drops), Broncholitin.
- Antiseptic and disinfectants - antimicrobial agents: Bronchicum, Fenspiride, Miramistin.
- Antibacterial drugs. For the treatment of bronchitis, antibacterial drugs of a wide spectrum of action with high bactericidal activity are usually used. Such drugs include Fluimucil, Dioxidin, Ceftriaxone.
- Glucocorticosteroids are hormonal drugs that suppress the production of leukotrienes, which provoke narrowing of the bronchi, which contributes to bronchospasm. Also, hormonal agents prevent the spread of inflammatory cells. Usually, doctors prescribe Pulmicort, Budesonide.
Inhalation devices
The pharmaceutical industry offers a large selection of devices for treatment by inhaling sprayed particles of liquid. The choice of medications that are poured into the device depends on the pathology. With bronchitis, the medicine for the inhaler is also selected depending on the type of device. There are several of them, and they all have their own characteristics:
- Steam. The mechanism of action is to bring the drug solution to 39-45 ° C with further heating of the upper respiratory tract by evaporation of this solution.
- Aerosol. Medicinal substances are metered into the nasal passage or oral cavity without preliminary treatment (dilution, heating). Aerosols and sprays are convenient to use. It is especially convenient to use such inhalers for obstructive bronchitis in children.
- Inkjet (compressor) nebulizer. The mechanism of action of the apparatus is to transform the drug into a fine aerosol with particles of 0.5-10 microns in size, which are then inhaled.
- An ultrasonic nebulizer is a device for converting a drug into a fine aerosol using the vibrational energy of a high-frequency piezocrystal.
- Mesh nebulizer (membrane). To generate an aerosol, the apparatus passes a drug substance through a sieve membrane. The main difference between such a device from an ultrasonic or jet one is that the drug, passing through a sieve membrane, is immediately delivered to the patient’s respiratory tract.
Steam inhaler for bronchitis
The principle of action of a steam inhaler is to heat water with a medicinal substance, the evaporation of which is inhaled by the patient. When inhaled under the influence of heat, the vessels of the respiratory tract expand, blood flow increases.
Steam treatment for bronchitis is not the best option. The steam entering the nose and nasopharynx cools due to the protective features of the respiratory system. When breathing through the mouth, there is a high risk of burning the bronchial mucosa and exacerbating the situation. But for those who have adapted, the method is quite effective.
The use of a steam inhaler has a number of contraindications, which should be taken into account:
- Cardiovascular pathology.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis.
- The defeat of the upper respiratory tract virus.
- Diseases of the hemostatic system.
- Tendency to bleeding, vascular weakness.
Aerosol inhaler: features
Aerosol inhalers are devices that deliver the drug to the lungs, nasopharynx, and nasal cavity in the form of an aerosol. Their main advantage is the ability to spray a wide variety of medicines. Disadvantage - the ability to coordinate the breathing maneuver and pressing the spray can with your fingers is necessary.
When using such an inhaler with bronchitis, the aerosol is dosed, this is very convenient if the procedure is performed for children. You do not need to pour medicine into the spray bottle every time, the device does not require electricity or batteries. Small size aerosol inhaler (fits in a women's cosmetic bag), you can take it with you. There are several aerosol inhaler systems:
- ADI (aerosol metered-dose inhaler.
- Nebulizer
- Spinhaler.
- The aerolizer.
- Rotohaler.
- Turbuhaler.
- Spacer.
Compressor nebulizer
The medicine in the compressor (jet) nebulizer is generated using a compressor. When a liquid medicine meets a stream of air under the action of a gas jet, the liquid breaks into small particles with a size of 15-500 microns. Then the particles collide with a special plate and break into ultrafine particles from 0.5 to 10 microns, it is they that enter the bronchi when inhaled.
The medicine for bronchitis for a compressor-type inhaler is selected depending on the form and cause of the pathology. The list of drugs is quite large, so it’s easier to explain which ones are not used for the compressor nebulizer:
- Means, which include oils.
- Any herbal decoctions. They cannot be filtered out completely, small particles can clog in the nebulizer and disable it.
- Hormonal drugs of systemic action.
Ultrasonic nebulizer
Ultrasound nebulizers are the most common inhalers for bronchitis. Doctors recommend them because the devices spray aerosol in homogeneous, uniformly sized particles. This method allows the drug to penetrate into the tissues of the bronchi evenly.
The simplicity of the procedure allows you to use the inhaler for bronchitis at home. Ultrasonic nebulizer has a number of advantages:
- Silent
- Some mothers carry out inhalations while the baby is sleeping.
- It is convenient to use even for the treatment of infants.
- The nozzles included in the kit allow you to carry out therapy not only for bronchitis, but also in the treatment of pathologies of the upper respiratory tract.
- Ability to work on a car battery.
- Possibility of use as a humidifier.
- You can use any drugs that are resistant to ultrasound.
Nebulizer for bronchitis: benefits
Medicine moves forward with leaps and bounds. The equipment is constantly being improved; uncomfortable, bulky devices are being replaced by compact, easy-to-use devices for home use.
One of the most convenient and common devices is a nebulizer. Procedures with its use are prescribed for a variety of respiratory tract pathologies. Especially recommended is the use of inhalers for obstructive bronchitis. Nebulizers have a number of undeniable advantages:
- Possibility of use by people at any age: from babies to the elderly.
- Ease of use: a minimum of manipulations, buttons, lack of preliminary preparation - no need to wait until the device heats up.
- Relative security. All devices either have a program indicating the duration of inhalation, or the device turns off itself after evaporation of the drug.
- The drug is delivered to the body without loss.
- The ability to use a variety of drugs. Especially convenient is the treatment with antibacterial drugs. They enter directly into the bronchi, bypassing the digestive tract, thereby not causing dysbiosis. When using a nebulizer, antibiotics are used in much smaller quantities than orally, and the effectiveness is much higher.
How to breathe with bronchitis inhaler
No matter how convenient and safe the device, certain rules must be observed when using it. Each device has its own peculiarities, but there are a number of general recommendations that, when implemented, you will receive only benefit from the procedure.
Simple rules on how to breathe an inhaler with bronchitis:
- The drug for the treatment of lower respiratory tract disease should be prescribed by a doctor.
- The procedure is carried out no earlier than 1.5 hours (children can be an hour) after eating and half an hour after exercise.
- During inhalation, you need to sit with your back straight, clothing should not squeeze the chest. The patient should be comfortable, nothing should distract him.
- You should breathe freely, even if the medicine is unpleasant.
- The duration of the procedure should not exceed 5 minutes for children, for adults - 10 minutes.
- After inhalation, you can’t eat for an hour, and you should also avoid being in cold air.
Please note that evening inhalation is carried out no later than 18 hours, otherwise the sputum discharge peak will be during active rest.