The lungs of a patient affected by asthma or any other respiratory ailment are generally weak. In order to administer medications directly and swiftly into the lungs, a piece of medical equipment known as a nebulizer is used. Liquid medicine gets converted into fine mist which can then be inhaled through a mouthpiece or face mask. In this way, the medication quickly reaches the destination where it is needed the most.
Disorders which need nebulizers
You may need to buy from a nebulizer for sale if you are affected by one of the following disorders:
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Ensure that you never decide to put yourself on a nebulizer without consultation from a doctor. Not all conditions are conducive enough for the use of this gadget. At times, doctors prescribe nebulizers for children with respiratory infections like bronchiolitis. Even after getting the nod from the doctor, ensure that you exercise caution with the nebulizer.
Can a nebulizer be used to treat a cough?
This breathing machine allows individuals to inhale medicated vapors to improve their respiratory conditions. It is not specifically prescribed for use against coughs, although it is perfected suited for several other respiratory illnesses. Younger age groups who find it difficult to make use of handheld inhalers can make use of this device.
A cough by itself is a symptom of a different underlying condition. Coughing is a way of responding to various kinds of throat irritants. It could be caused by different short term and long term medical conditions such as:
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
- Exposure to smoke
- Flu
- Acid reflux
- Pneumonia
- Lung irritation
- Heart disease
Nebulizers work with the body’s natural breathing pattern and provide medication to lungs much quicker than inhalers. Those finding it difficult to use inhalers can get these devices for themselves. Nebulizers may not be able to mitigate the underlying cause for a cough. They are also light in weight, allowing them to be carried around easily.
Precautions during use
Keeping nebulizers clean is extremely important for health. This is because liquids are emitted from these gadgets, which could get contaminated by molds if not cleaned well enough. Ensure that the nebulizer’s spacers, masks, and tubes are cleaned and then dried after every use.
Ensure that you do not share the nebulizer with your loved one or close friend. Follow all the instructions which come along with the nebulizer machine. All pieces of it should be able to air dry.
How to use the nebulizer
You will find the instructions for the use of the nebulizer to be present with the machine. However, here are the general rules of usage:
- The compressor must be kept on a flat surface so that it can reach a power outlet easily
- All pieces need to be clean prior to use
- Hands must be washed before prepping the necessary medication
- Medication must be premixed and placed in the container. If you need to mix it further, do so and put it in the container.
- The tube needs to be connected to the compressor and liquid container
- Attach the mask or mouthpiece
- Turn on the switch to see whether the machine is misting or not
- Put the mask into your mouth and close your mouth surrounding it
- Breathe into it and out of it slowly till the medicine goes through. This is likely to take 5-15 minutes.
- The liquid container must remain upright during the entire process of treatment
How nebulizers can help babies
Doctors often prescribe nebulizers for chronic ailments in infants, asthma being one such condition. Other examples of similar conditions are:
- Cystic fibrosis– Mucous builds up in the airways of an infant in this condition, which is recognized as a genetic disease. This condition makes it difficult for the child to breathe.
- Epiglottis-It is a rare condition caused by the Haemophilus influenzae type B bacteria which may cause pneumonia. As a result of this, a high pitched sound is produced during breathing.
- Croup– It is a result of one of the common cold viruses. A child tends to develop barking cough as a result and it clogs the airways.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)- In this condition cold-like symptoms are displayed by infants. Inflammation of the small airways can result in bronchiolitis in small children, although it doesn’t affect older children as much.
Purchase from a reputed online pharmacy
Always ensure that the nebulizer must be purchased from an authorized and reputed pharmacy only. You may find that many fake ones are being circulated in the market. For this reason, it is important to find out a suitable make from your doctor and follow that advice. This will be immensely helpful to take care of a respiratory ailment at the earliest.
