Nebulizers are devices that are used to administer atomized particles of medication to the airways. Nebulizer treatments are commonly used for treating or managing a wide range of respiratory disorders like asthma, COPD, allergies, or respiratory infections.
Indications
Nebulizers are used to administer a wide variety of drugs, as discussed below. Nebulizers are useful as they distribute medication directly to the lungs. This helps treat pulmonary conditions and avoids the complications of systemic drug distribution. The categorical indication for the use of nebulizer is when the medication is not available in any other form or when a patient is not in a condition to swallow tablets or capsules.
Medications
There are a range of medications that are administered through nebulizers. These drugs are mainly used for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These drugs are:
- Ipratropium bromide
- Salbutamol
- Budesonide
- Fluticasone
- Albuterol
Apart from the above-listed conditions, nebulizer treatment may also be indicated for other conditions like cough and dyspnea, pseudomonas infections, and retained secretions, among others.
Procedure
The nebulizer comes in four different parts: an air compressor, face mask or mouthpiece, air tubing, and small plastic container. To perform a nebulizer treatment, the following steps will occur:
- Plug in machine and connect tubing.
- Add prescription medications to the nebulizer chamber
- Turn on the nebulizer to convert the medicine into mist form.
- Take deep breaths while wearing the mask or holding the mouth piece with lips to ensure that the medicine is reaching deep in the airways.
- Use the nebulizer for as long as the medical provider has prescribed or until the nebulizer has stopped producing mist.
- Detach all the parts, empty the chamber and pat dry before packing.
Types
There are three main types of nebulizers used for delivering a drug into mist form. These are as follows:
- Jet Nebulizer: In this type, compressed gas is used to convert the medication into aerosol form.
- Mesh Nebulizer: This is the most expensive type of nebulizer which uses mesh to convert the liquid medication into aerosol form.
- Ultrasonic Nebulizer: The medication is converted into aerosol form after passing through high-frequency sound vibrations. The particles produced in this type are relatively larger than those produced by a jet nebulizer.
Contact us
In case of urgent medical care assistance, AfterOurs Urgent Care offers immediate telemedicine services, where medical providers are available to offer assistance. Anyone who experiences signs and symptoms requiring urgent medical attention can simply book their appointment with AfterOurs Urgent Care to directly talk to an expert. If your medical issue is not appropriate for telemedicine, we will let you know and refer you to an in-person facility.
When to visit a doctor:
If you have asthma, COPD, or any chest infection, then you should seek medical care to rule out any possibility of serious complications.
For more information on nebulizer treatment, see the following website: