What is a Nebulizer?
Nebulizers are drug delivery devices that help patients adults, children to take medicines. These medicines are generally in a form of solution/suspension which is converted into droplets or mist and are inhaled into the lungs directly from the device.
These are very helpful in the case of children
- Children are unable to inhale drugs from the metered dose inhalers being very young
- The taste of bitter solutions/suspension is avoided as they are directly inhaled
- It is easy to use during a severe asthma attack as breathing short can also suffice the child’s need for the medicine.
There are total five parts to the Nebulizers
- Nebulizer compressor: It is useful in creating the mist of the medicine by pumping air in the system.
- Nebulizer cup: The measured Liquid/suspension medicine is added in the cup
- Mouthpiece/mask: It is a covering on the mouth which assists in inhaling the mist.
- Tubing-It helps in delivering air from the compressor to the cup which contains the Medicine.
- Tubing connectors
Types of Nebulizers
- Stationary Nebulizer –It is used for indoor use, less expensive than other types. It is more useful for children
- Portable Nebulizer – Handy to use and compact
- Mesh Nebulizers– A Mesh Nebulizer is as the quick-working system. It works on a battery power supply and is compatible with the aerosol solutions. It is the most expensive type of nebulizers when compared to the other nebulizers. It uses a vibrating membrane to form the mist of the medication.
- Jet Nebulizers– It passes the compressed air into the cup which contains the medicine. Converts the Liquid into mist form which is easily inhaled by the patient. It is the least expensive type of Nebulizer.
- Ultrasonic Nebulizers–Small, compact and works on a battery. It works faster than other nebulizers. It uses the ultrasonic waves to convert the liquid medication in aerosols.
Choosing the right Nebulizers
Choosing the right one according to your need, mobility, the intensity of use, age is an important part.
Patients use Nebulizers when they are not benefited from the inhaler effectively. Using Nebulizers increases the probability of a larger amount of medication entering into the lungs. Generally, for children and older people, it is hard to inhale through metered dose inhalers. Hence in these cases, the nebulizer helps a lot. Given the types above you always have an option to use the nebulizers indoor or outdoor as per your convenience.
Features of a Nebulizer
- Compact-Easy to handle
- Portable-Mobility is not a problem during any activities or daily work
- Inexpensive
- Reusable-It is easy to clean and can be used again by the same patient
- Easily detachable- All the part are detachable they can be cleaned and assembled again. The patients if not a kid can do it by themselves.
- Variety of medications can be mixed together according to your requirements in the medicine cup.