Nebulization Treatments
The American Academy of Allergy and Asthma Immunology reports that more than 34 million Americans suffer from asthma. Asthma is a respiratory condition that causes the airways in your lungs to narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma results in 250,000 deaths in the United States each year and has the potential to cause other complications, such as permanent narrowing of the airways. Because of these possible effects, it is important to treat asthma through medication and other methods. One form of treatment used by doctors is a nebulizer.
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Identification
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The American Thoracic Society identifies a nebulizer as a device that compresses liquid medication into gas form. The compressor component of the nebulizer is a rectangular box with a nozzle opening. A plastic tube attaches to the nozzle and holds a vial of liquid medicine. When you turn the compressor on, it increases the pressure in the tube. This decreases the space available for the liquid to occupy, which in turn makes it turn into a gas. The gas then travels through the tubing into a mask that you cover your mouth and nose with to inhale the medication.
Usage
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Using a nebulizer is a relatively simple process. First, you add the medication into the storage cup or receptacle of the nebulizer. This sometimes involves mixing a number of medications. After that, you typically screw the receptacle into place. After turning the compressor on, the mask slides over your mouth and nose and is secured by an elastic band that slips over your ears and across the back of your head. While wearing the mask, doctors recommend breathing in deeply and holding your breath for 10 seconds before slowly exhaling. The treatment continues until all of the liquid medication has evaporated. This typically requires 8 to 10 minutes from start to finish.
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Benefits
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Because the mist travels directly to the lungs, nebulizers allow patients to receive higher concentrations of medications. Inhaled medications used to treat asthma, such as corticosteroids, present fewer side effects than those taken orally. The medication administered through nebulizers works to reduce the inflammation and constriction in your airways, making it easier to breathe. When used regularly, nebulizers greatly reduce the effects of asthma, reports the Mayo Clinic.
Types
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There are several different types of nebulizers used to treat asthma. One main distinction between types of nebulizers is whether they are small- or large-volume. Small-volume nebulizers deliver larger amounts of medicine to the lungs; however, the amount of medicine they produce varies with each use. Large-volume nebulizers tend to provide more consistent dosages of medicine over time, reports a University of New Mexico study. Nebulizers are also available in both battery-operated and electric forms.
Considerations
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Nebulizer medications sometimes cause side effects, including chills, hoarseness, ear congestion and fatigue. There is also a possibility of more harmful side effects, such as irregular heart beat and seizures. Though nebulizers decrease the frequency of asthma attacks, if you experience an attack after using a nebulizer, it will usually be more severe than your other attacks. You should discuss with your doctor what steps to take in the case of a severe asthma attack.
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