Nebulizer breathing treatments are used for men, women and children patients who need medication specially applied deep into the airways and lungs. Doctors may prescribe nebulizers for respiratory conditions or use them to give asthma treatments during surgery or recovery.
Nebulizer devices transform liquid medication into droplets and administer doses to patients in a mist. The mist is pushed through a tube with compressed air, in the most commonly used models. Dosages are inhaled directly through the nose or mouth, either through a mouthpiece or a mask. Nebulizer medication delivery can be used for preventive or emergency relief of asthma and other conditions.
Patients
Nebulizer breathing treatments are most often employed for cases of asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Weakened lungs may make it difficult to inhale deeply, quickly or fully, as some regular inhalable medications require. Doctors prescribe nebulizers for patients who cannot use handheld inhalers effectively.
Infants, children and elderly patients are most likely to receive nebulizer asthma treatments for respiratory system medications such as Albuterol and Pulmozyme. The patient or a caregiver is responsible for following dosage amounts, length of treatment time and breathing instructions, as indicated by a physician.
Devices
While technology in nebulizers is evolving, compressed-air or "jet" nebulizers are still the most widely used. These consist of an air compressor, nebulizer kit (where the medicine goes in) and tubing/mouthpiece (where the nebulized medicine comes out). Doctors will prescribe nebulizers with face masks for infants or immobilized older patients.
Nebulizer breathing treatments usually last from 5 to 30 minutes. To receive an asthma treatment or other medication, connect the nebulizer device to an air compressor by its hose. Place liquid medication in the device cup, and attach its hose and the mouthpiece. Turn on the device and breathe in the medication by mouth until the prescribed dose is gone.
Considerations
Nebulizer breathing treatments are safe unless you get too much medication too fast. If you start to feel jittery or lightheaded during an asthma treatment, rest for a few minutes and then continue. Tell the providers who prescribe nebulizers for you if this recurs.
You can also get too little of the medication, wasting your money and endangering your health. If medicine remains in the cup after your treatment, you aren't getting a full dose. If you administer nebulizer treatments to your baby, he must be awake and breathing normally to properly ingest the dose.
