Do you want to use a nebulizer? Feedback on inhalers of all manufacturing companies. Find out what medicines are needed and how to use a nebulizer

To date, inhalation therapy is widely used in the treatment of various respiratory diseases. And if a couple of decades ago for this it was necessary to visit specialized rooms at a medical institution, now everything is much simpler. It is enough to purchase a nebulizer and to treat in a comfortable home environment.

A bit of history

The origins of inhalation therapy go back to the distant past, or rather, in the time of the ancient civilizations of India, China, Egypt and the Middle East. Even then, the inhalation of vapors of eucalyptus, menthol and other medicinal plants was used to treat various ailments of the respiratory tract. This was confirmed by the works of Galen and Hippocrates, which mention inhalation of fragrant plant smoke. As for the nebulizers, the first of them was created by Sales-Girones in France in 1859. The principle of the device consisted in using pressure to spray a liquid medication.

Later, in 1874 the device for inhalation of this type received its official name, derived from the Latin word "nebula" (cloud, fog). Outwardly, the device was not even remotely like a modern nebulizer, which we can read about today on any medical site, but the identity of the product - aerosol from liquid medicine is indisputable. More than a century and a half passed, while in our home medicine kits appeared compact and powerful devices for inhalation. During this long period the designers had to work hard to ensure that the treatment of even the common cold was simple and comfortable.

Scope of application

The main purpose of inhalation devices of this type is emergency therapy with exacerbation of such a disease as bronchial asthma. During the attack of suffocation, peculiar to this disease, the patient needs to receive a dose of a medicine for relieving bronchial spasm, than with daily therapy. Rapidly deliver the drug directly to the alveoli is capable only of the nebulizer, the recall of the patients indicates that the improvement in the condition is observed after only 2-3 minutes. Just like with asthma, it is effective to use the device in COPD, when prolonged use of expectorants and bronchodilators is necessary. The intake of such medications in tablet form or in suspension can adversely affect the state of other organs of the patient, for example, the liver and stomach. It is worth noting that the nebulizer, the pediatricians' opinion confirms this, is simply indispensable for the treatment of many respiratory diseases, including the planned therapy of bronchial asthma in children. For many mothers, whose children often have ARI, this device has become an integral attribute of the home medicine chest. To date, it is the only way to deliver the medicine directly to the source of the disease.

Using a nebulizer at an elevated temperature

Everyone knows that often the diseases of the respiratory tract are accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Such a reaction of the body testifies to the struggle of the immune system with foreign microorganisms - causative agents of the disease, to help with which we must with the help of medications. Therefore, in many patients with the appointment of inhalation therapy, the question arises as to whether it is possible to use a nebulizer at a temperature. However, doctors, trying not to damage the patient's health and reputation, often respond negatively and cancel this procedure even with inpatient treatment. And they are quite understandable, because the characteristics of the patient's body can provoke the manifestation of the most unpredictable reactions. As for the opinion of the manufacturers of devices, they are more loyal in this matter. General recommendations in most operating instructions inform about the prohibition of the procedure for patients with a body temperature above 37.5 °. And, it would seem, all this is right, but with practice and experience you can not argue. There are critical situations when a nebulizer for inhalations becomes the only salvation not only of the patient's health, but also of his life.

So, for example, during an attack of asthma in bronchial asthma, the patient is given inhalation with the drug "Berodual", even if the temperature of his body is significantly different from the norm. There are many such examples, but one should not take them as a categorical contradiction to medical recommendations. The opinion of specialists must be listened to, especially when it comes to treating children and those who are seriously ill. These categories of people can not independently assess their own health, guided by sensations, and therefore are not able to decide whether the nebulizer can be used at any temperature in a particular case.

Medicines for inhalation

The list of drugs used in inhalation therapy is large enough. It is systematically replenished with new medicines, therefore it is more expedient to consider all this list of medicines by pharmaco-groups. So, for liquefaction of sputum, settling on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and improving expectoration are used mukoregulyatory and mucolytics. This group includes such medications for a nebulizer, as Lazolvan, Ambroghexal, Fluimutsil and others. As bronchodilators, which relieve spasm of the bronchi and promote their expansion, often used drugs "Ventolin", "Berodual", "Salamol" and "Berotek." Another pharmaco-group of medicines, which is often used in inhalation therapy, are glucocorticoids. These hormonal drugs, such as Pulmocort, have a good anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, due to the method of delivering the active substance directly to the source of the disease, an antibiotic can also be used as a medicine for the nebulizer. The final position in the list of drugs for inhalation therapy is saline and alkaline solutions, such as Borjomi mineral water and physiological saline. Each of these components can be either the main treatment, or the solvent for other medicines.

How to prepare a solution for inhalation?

Of course, the prescribing physician should prescribe drugs and give detailed advice about the rules for their use. But if such an informative conversation, for some reason did not take place, the initiative should be taken into their own hands.

First, it must be remembered that many drugs for nebulizers are manufactured by manufacturers in the form of special ready-to-use solutions. If the prescribed medication is not available in the required form, it is necessary to consult a pharmacist about the possibility of using concentrated medications for inhalation. As a rule, in such a case it is necessary to purchase the physiological solution together with the medicine , which in the future will be used as a solvent. It is not necessary to pour distilled water into the nebulizer for this purpose, the recall of many who made such a mistake testifies to the possibility of bronchospasm.

Secondly, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for the use of the drug and in no case exceed the indicated dosage. Therefore, before starting inhalation, 2-4 ml of solvent should be poured into the nebulizer chamber and only then the necessary amount of the basic medicament should be added. The total volume of the solution for one session should be from 2 to 5 ml, but here you should also take into account the individual characteristics of the patient. For example, if the treatment is required for the child, and the parents do not have confidence that the baby can take inhalation for a long time, you should take the minimum dose of the solvent - 2 ml. This will allow the baby to get the necessary amount of medicine, without creating additional discomfort.

Third, regardless of the form in which the medicines for the nebulizer were purchased, in ready-made solutions or concentrated drops, they should be stored in the refrigerator. After the drug package was opened, the drugs should be used within 14 days. Each time before use, they should be warmed to room temperature.

What medicines can not be used?

Among people who often engage in self-treatment, there is an opinion that it is impossible to harm inhalation of aromatic oils in any illness. But this is far from the case. The manufacturer's instructions clearly state that if a nebulizer is used, the use of oils and preparations in the basis of which they are available as a medicine for inhalation is strictly prohibited. To convert such substances into aerosol, only steam devices that produce coarse particles that settle on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract can be used. If you ignore this warning and make such an inhalation with a nebulizer, the body's response may be unpredictable. Small particles of such an aerosol can penetrate into the lungs and clog the passages. A consequence of this carelessness can be oil pneumonia, which requires a long and costly treatment. Do not overlook the possibility of manifestations of allergic reactions after such a procedure, on the excess of the drug on the membranes of the bronchi and in the lungs.

The effectiveness of inhalation therapy for ODS and colds

The most common mistake many patients who use a nebulizer for coughing is in improperly selected medications, due to self-medication or an erroneous diagnosis of the disease. As a rule, the inhaler, of course, becomes the "culprit" of inefficiency of treatment, and the disease spreads further in the body and leads to serious complications. To avoid such a situation, before starting treatment should consult with a doctor and establish the correct diagnosis of respiratory disease. If necessary, the patient will need to give a general blood test, according to which the specialist will be able to accurately diagnose the etiology of the disease and prescribe the correct medication.

So, for example, in case of bacterial infection, an antibiotic may be recommended, which is extremely useless for viruses that are sensitive only to antiviral drugs. For the same reason, a nebulizer with a cold can also be ineffective. Of course, the use of vasoconstrictive drugs for a short period of time can improve the condition, but for a long-term effect without proper treatment the causes of the disease should not be counted. Therefore, it is recommended to start treatment of ARVI or ARI only after medical consultation and examination of the patient, this is the only way to quickly treat.

Basic rules of operation

In order for the treatment to be effective, it is not enough just to buy an inhaler and medicines. It is important to know how to properly carry out this procedure and what safety measures must be followed in order not to worsen the patient's condition. Of course, each type of inhaler has its own individual characteristics, so before using it, you should read the operating instructions from the manufacturer. However, there are a lot of general recommendations that should be followed, regardless of the type of device.

First, during inhalation you need to sit down as comfortably as possible, so as not to be distracted by discomfort. The back should be kept straight, this will allow a large amount of medical aerosol to be taken into the lungs, and, of course, do not get bogged down by talking.

Secondly, use only those drugs that have been prescribed by the doctor. Before filling the chamber, you should check the expiration date on all medicines, otherwise the treatment with a nebulizer will not only be ineffective, but it can also harm the patient's health.

Thirdly, do not experiment and use any liquid as a solvent, preference should be given to the physiological solution. In addition, the inhalation device must be filled with sterile dispensers (disposable syringes and needles), no more than 5 minutes before using the nebulizer.

Fourth, the flow of working gas is recommended to be set in the range from 6 to 10 liters per minute, at a higher speed, the inhalation session time should be shortened. In compressor inhalers, this parameter has already been set.

Fifth, during the procedure, special attention should be focused on breathing, inhaling the aerosol slowly and deeply through the mouth. The therapeutic effect of the procedure will be better if, before each exhalation, try to hold your breath for a couple of seconds. If a nebulizer is used for children, it is advisable to use a mask that should fit tightly to the little face of the baby, this will greatly facilitate inhalation. This is especially true for the smallest baby.

Reliability of the nebulizer and storage conditions

Each class of nebulizers has its own service life, and in order for the device to operate qualitatively for the specified period of time, storage conditions must be strictly observed. Therefore, after each inhalation, removable accessories must be rinsed with clean water and dried. Such hygiene rules will prevent the crystallization of drugs and bacterial contamination on the internal surfaces of the nebulizer. In addition, if several people make inhalation in the family, then after each use, additional cleaning and disinfection should be carried out. Keep the device preferably in disassembled form, to enhance the safety of component parts. Attention should also be paid to the fact that even the best nebulizers require the timely replacement of air filters. And if this is not done within the time frame provided by the instruction, the functionality and wear resistance of the device is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is extremely important not to neglect the above recommendations, because they can extend the period of use of the device.

Which nebulizer to choose?

To argue about which nebulizer is good and which is not very, is not entirely correct, since each model has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, choosing an inhaler for your own household, you should pay attention to the main technical characteristics, in which we try to understand in more detail. So, the first criterion that requires consideration is, of course, the type of device. It can be ultrasonic, compressor and electron-mesh (mesh) nebulizer. Each of them has a different degree of quality of delivery of the drug in the respiratory tract.

Acquiring the first, it is necessary to take into account the fact that under the action of ultrasonic waves many drugs are subject to destruction. Therefore, if a nebulizer is selected for systematic home use, preference should be given to compressor and mash-inhalers. The second criterion of choice is such an indicator as the residual volume of the drug solution. Before using a nebulizer, all strictly measure the dose of the drug, but not all devices are able to convert the liquid into an aerosol in full. As a rule, part of the drug remains in the chambers of ultrasonic and compressor nebulizers even after the inhalation. In the new mash-devices there are no such problems, therefore they are called the most effective inhalers of our time. It would seem that such a nebulizer is the best and one should not consider other options, however, it also has a significant drawback - high cost.

An alternative is a compressor inhaler, which is much cheaper, and the effectiveness and quality of conversion of liquid medicine is second only to a little. But in this case, the choice of the device for inhalation should be approached with special responsibility, drawing attention to the type of nebulizer camera. In devices with convection (direct flow) capacity of 65-70% of useful medicinal aerosols are simply lost in the atmosphere, and not reaching the destination. If the nebulizer is equipped with a camera activated by inspiration, the loss of the drug is only 10%.

Which manufacturer of inhalers should I trust?

Nebulizers have long been used in modern medicine, so many manufacturers have already earned the respect of consumers. One of such companies, engaged in the production of medical equipment, including inhalers, is Omron. In addition to reliability, proven for years, for the devices of this manufacturer are characterized by additional features of increased comfort. For example, the Omron nebulizer has a low noise level, which allows inhaling even to newborns. In addition, almost all models of this brand are very compact, so they are convenient to store at home. As for the range of drugs that can be used using a nebulizer Omron, it is quite wide, which is another undeniable advantage of the device.

Another manufacturer, whose devices for inhalation deserve attention, is the company "Microlife". The products of this brand are used by the most famous clinics in Europe, and recently it is also available to our customers. However, in a short period of time, the advantages of the "Microlife" nebulizer have managed to win respect and receive grateful feedback. Compact, easy-to-use and efficient inhalers of this manufacturer are already in high demand today. However, in addition to the quality and additional characteristics of the increased comfort of these two manufacturers of medical equipment, one more advantage is combined - an affordable price. Many families have already realized that by purchasing this device, they significantly save the home budget. After all, it is often possible to stop many diseases in the early stages. In this case, the need to purchase expensive medications simply disappears.