For the treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases, inhalers are used. The medical name of the device is a nebulizer. An inhaler is called it in colloquial speech. However, this name was also included in official texts.
A nebulizer and an inhaler are almost identical concepts. The only difference is that drugs are used in the nebulizer, and the inhaler is also able to work as a steam device.
What exactly are inhalers used at home and in medical institutions
An inhaler is used to quickly get rid of various diseases of the respiratory system, since local exposure is a fairly effective method of treatment. The main goal of the procedure is to deliver the drug in aerosol form to the respiratory tract within a short period of time.
By continuously feeding microscopic particles, a high concentration of the drug is created. In this case, the possibility of side effects is almost zero.
According to the principle of action, inhalers are divided into:
- steam (the effect is based on the effect of the evaporation of drugs);
- compression (generate an aerosol cloud using a compressor);
- ultrasound (spray the medicine in the form of a fine aerosol);
- electronically mesh nebulizers (they are also called mesh, membrane or mesh inhalers).
Importance of Using Home Inhalers
Inhalations at home were previously carried out by inhaling a pair of herbal decoctions or essential oils in boiling water. Now the use of portable devices allows for physiotherapeutic procedures at home.
The benefits of using household inhalers at home
A modern approach to treatment involves the delivery of a drug directly into the respiratory tract. This is achieved through the widespread use of inhaled forms of drugs.
Thanks to nebulizers, inhalations have become available not only in medical institutions, but also at home for a wide range of patients of all ages. Nebulizer therapy has advantages over other types of inhalation:
- It can be used at any age. Since the patient is not required to perform any actions at the same time as breathing (press the spray can, etc.).
- There is no need to take a deep breath. This makes it possible to apply therapy even in cases of a severe attack of bronchial asthma or in elderly patients.
- High speed therapeutic effect.
- Ability to adjust the size of aerosol particles.
- Almost complete absence of side effects.
- The lack of systemic effects of the drug.
- The convenience of use.
Harm that can cause the use of household inhalers
It often happens that patients neglect the rules for using household inhalers. In this case, the medicine does not reach the bronchi, settles in the trachea, in the mouth and throat, enters the stomach. The effectiveness of treatment is reduced, there is a mistrust of patients to inhalations.
The harm can also be caused not by the inhalation procedure itself, but by the medicinal mixtures used during its implementation.
Attention! Do not self-medicate. See your doctor to find the right remedy.
To exclude the negative consequences of the procedure, it is not recommended to carry out inhalation in the presence of the following conditions:
- fever;
- heart failure;
- respiratory failure;
- nosebleeds;
- high blood pressure;
- pre-infarction and post-infarction conditions;
- individual intolerance to the procedure.
Possible side effects also include symptoms of hyperventilation (dizziness, nausea, and cough) that occur when breathing too deep during the procedure
The use of inhalers at home
The inhaler copes with the treatment of acute and chronic diseases, because the medicine from the device enters all parts of the respiratory system. The positive effect of inhalation is noticeable from the first procedures, since the medicine does not easily enter the body, and when sprayed, it settles directly in the inflamed areas.
What diseases are beneficial for using home inhalers
It is effective to use nebulizers in the treatment of diseases requiring urgent intervention - asthma and allergies.
Another group of diseases for which inhalation is necessary, chronic inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract:
- bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma;
- cystic fibrosis.
Successfully treatable with a nebulizer:
- acute respiratory infections;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- diseases of the nervous system (insomnia, depression);
- endocrine pathologies (diabetes mellitus, obesity).
Inhalers have proven themselves in the treatment of occupational diseases of singers, teachers, miners and chemists.
Indications for the use of inhalers at home
Indications for inhalation using a nebulizer are various diseases of the respiratory system.
Nebulizers are designed to solve the following tasks:
- relieving bronchospasm;
- rehabilitation of various parts of the respiratory system;
- removal of edema (bronchi, trachea, larynx);
- excretion of mucus from the bronchi and lungs;
- removal of inflammation;
- strengthening immune processes;
- normalization of microcirculation in the nasopharynx;
- protection against exposure to allergens.
For what and in what cases an inhaler (nebulizer) should be used for children
Depending on the purpose for which the inhaler will be used, it is worth choosing a device for the child. With bronchitis, asthma and allergies, it is not recommended to purchase an ultrasonic nebulizer, as there are limitations in the use of drugs. In this case, the compressor or electronic-mesh device will be optimal. And ultrasound devices are suitable for the treatment of colds.
For babies who cannot yet sit, you need to purchase electronic-mesh devices, and an older child can buy a compressor or ultrasound model.
Important! Before buying, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
The inhaler must be in the house where there is a child. With the help of such a device, the use of syrups and tablets, which can cause allergic reactions, not to mention their effect on the liver and other internal organs, will be reduced.
There are other criteria that are considered when choosing an inhaler for a child:
- The form. Children's inhalers are produced in the form of toys, animals, fairy-tale characters, so as not to cause fear and unwillingness to inhale in the child.
- Material. Parts in contact with the respiratory tract should be made of hypoallergenic plastic.
- Equipment. It is necessary to choose nebulizer models equipped with a set of nozzles appropriate for the age of the child.
- Mobility. To be able to use the device in transport and in other places where there is no electricity, give preference to models with batteries or a rechargeable battery.
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