When to Use a Nebulizer

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By Paul Parsons
eHow Contributing Writer

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A nebulizer is a machine used in medicine to deliver a drug or medicine directly to the lungs. The nebulizer machine turns a liquid medication into a mist, which is inhaled through a mouth piece or breathing mask. Nebulizers may be used to transfer medication for asthma, COPD, emphysema, pneumonia, bronchitis and even the common cold.

Medical Administration

When using a nebulizer to receive a medication, the medication will come with specific instructions on when to use the nebulizer for dispersal of the medication, how often to use the medication, and how much medication to place in the nebulizer. It is very important to follow the directions and only use the nebulizer when the medication label recommends, or you could potentially overdose on the medication you are taking.

Saline Solutions

For colds, bronchitis, or pneumonia in which the airways feel dried out and in need of moisture, a nebulizer may be used to administer saline solutions. Homemade solutions should not be used as they are not sanitary and are harmful if mixed with inappropriate amounts of water and salt. Saline solutions delivered via nebulizer may be used as often as every two hours.

Warnings

Water should never be used alone in a solution for a nebulizer. Though one would assume that water could be used to provide moisture mist to the lungs, it will actually cause the airways to dry out if a saline solution is not used, or added to some nebulizer medications that require this addition.

Dosage

Follow the dosage specifications included upon the bottle of medication being used in the nebulizer. Many medications may come pre-measured, each in tiny cups or tubes that may be placed in the medicine cup of the nebulizer, while others will need to be measured. Medications required measuring will often come with a dropper for easy measuring.

Time Frame

After 10 to 15 minutes of inhaling the medication, the medicine cup should be empty and the machine ready to be turned off. Most machines will require manual shut-off when the medicine cup empties; newer models will shut off automatically when the medicine cup is emptied. The recommended doses of the medications should not take much more than 10 or 15 minutes to be administered.

Maintenance

The nebulizer medicine cup should be rinsed thoroughly with water after each use and allowed to air dry until the next time it is needed. The medicine cup may be cleaned with soap but should be rinsed excessively to remove the possibility of inhaling soap residue, which could aggravate the lungs.