NEBULIZATION /NEBULIZER THERAPY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nebulizers deliver liquid or aerosol medications that help you breathe to your lungs via a mask or mouthpiece. Medications given via nebulizer can treat acute conditions or can prevent respiratory problems from developing

 

 

 

 

Things to Know about Your Child’s

 

Nebulizer Treatments

1. What is nebulization or nebulised therapy?

Nebulization is also termed as breathing treatment. It is a process of delivering a medicine or a combination of medicines using a nebulizer for immediate relief.

2. What is a nebuliser or nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a machine which holds a small quantity of any specific medicated solution or normal saline. This solution is then converted into an aerosol, which is a mixture of gas and liquid particles.

The aerosol is inhaled through one’s nose/mouth with or without the help of face mask.

3. How does a nebulizer work?

You might be wondering what a nebulizer does.

Nebulizers disperse the solutions into tiny cloud of airborne water droplets either by using oxygen, ultrasonic power or compressed air. This is then inhaled by the person providing them immediate relief.

4. What are the types of medicines used for nebulization?

You can use nebulizers in two ways:

• With a non-medicated liquid

Non-medicated liquid is normal saline which is commonly used to help a dry nose by moistening the mucous membrane.

• With a medicated liquid

Medicated liquids are used for patients with respiratory diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD and in few cystic fibrosis cases.

For asthma patients, bronchodilators, or combo of bronchodilators and corticosteroids are used.

5. How can nebulization help my child suffering from blocked nose and bad cold?

Nebulization helps to moisten the dry mucous membrane.

Apart from that, it clears your little one’s dry and stuffy nose by loosening the mucous trapped in the airways. This dilates their respiratory passage and makes it easier for them to breath.

6. Heard that nebulization is only for adults and not for babies and children. Is it true?

It’s a misconception. Nebulization is very effective and good for small children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is difficult for small children to spit out the sputum like older children or adults. So nebulization for babies is very effective in providing relief from breathing difficulty due to stuffy nose.

7. Is nebulization to be done only by those suffering from asthma?

I have seen many of my friends who are scared of nebulization treatment for their kids thinking it is only for asthmatic patients. This is yet another misconception.

For many conditions like asthma, COPD, bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis and for a few other respiratory diseases, nebulization is offered.

8. Are nebulizer and inhaler the same thing?

No, both are different.

An asthma inhaler is used to breathe in the asthma medicine either in the form of mist or fine dry powder through mouth. It’s a small device one can easily hold in hand and requires no electric supply to operate.

For kids who find it difficult to use an asthma inhaler, a nebulizer seems very effective to deliver asthma medications.

9. Can we use nebulizers at home?

Yes, you can safely use a nebulizer at home. But, DO NOT use any medicated solutions other than normal saline in nebulizer without consulting your doctor.

Nebulizers for home come in table top and portable models. They require electric supply to operate.

The nebulizer price depends on the make and model.

10. Can I use nebulizer at home for various respiratory illnesses other than nasal congestion?

A big no!!!

Consult your kid’s doctor before using a nebulizer machine at home if you are using it for anything other than congestion related to normal cold. They will consider a number of factors before deciding whether or not to give you a nebulizer and will train you how to use the machine, how to look after it etc.

11. Does my child need to take deep breaths during nebulization?

No, your child can breathe normally. The mouth piece should be pointed towards their nostrils.

12. Is it true that nebuliser medicine uses high dosage of medicines?

The dosage of medicine used in nebulizers is very less as compared to medicines given orally. So that puts the worry to an end.

13. Does nebulization cause any side effects to my child?

Side effects are far less or nil when compared to oral medicines such as syrups and tablets.

14. Does nebulization cause addiction?

The difference between nebulization and other treatments is the mode of delivering medicines.

The mode of delivering medicines doesn’t cause addiction. And that is why there is a 100 % assurance that your kid won’t be addicted to it.

Normally, we give medicines to kids orally. Does that make them addicted to those medicines? So there’s your answer.

15. How to choose a home nebulizer?

If you want to buy a nebulizer, here are the things to be taken into consideration.

• It should be reasonably priced.
• Should be easy to operate and should be compact.
• Should deliver the medicated or non-medicated solutions in the form of aerosol through the mouth piece constantly.
• The cleaning procedures of nebulizer accessories like nebulizer cups, mouthpieces etc after use should be simple
• It shouldn’t be too noisy as kids usually do get scared of loud noises and will hesitate to undergo nebulization.
• Do a thorough research before buying a good branded nebulizer and check with the vendor about the shelf life of nebulizer accessories without fail. There are reusable and disposable type accessories.
• Get the complete information about the sterilisation, cleaning and storage process and strictly follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Summary

First of all, mommies don’t panic if your kid’s doctor suggests nebulization treatment to clear up your kid’s stuffy nose next time.

Secondly, it is not at all compulsory to have a nebulizer at home.

Thirdly, if you own one, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions properly.

And lastly, don’t use any medicated solutions other than normal saline in nebulizers without your doctor’s prescription or consultation.