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Want to Find Out More About Nebulizers? Common Questions Answered

Posted On : Sep-17-2011 | seen (271) times | Article Word Count : 489 |

If you suffer from respiratory conditions you may have been advised to use a nebulizer.
If you suffer from respiratory conditions you may have been advised to use a nebulizer. These devices have in some cases been replaced by newer designs for certain treatments. However they are still widely used by the medical profession and still offer many benefits for patients.

Patients that need to use nebulisers should consult their doctors for more advice. If you want to find out some more basic details about these devices then here are just a few answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

1. How exactly do nebulizers work?

The basic function of nebulisers is to convert liquid medicine into droplets that can be easily inhaled into the lungs. There are several designs of nebulizers available, each offering different levels of effectiveness. This includes:

- Jet Nebulisers – this traditional design is not very efficient and a lot of the medication can be lost during the administration process. In this device compressed gas is used to transform the liquid into droplets.

- Ultrasonic Nebulizers – this design is more efficient and uses a piezoelectric crystal that vibrant extremely quickly to transform the liquid into a mist. These are often smaller and less noisy than the jet nebuliser.

2. Should I be using a facemask or mouthpiece for my nebuliser?

This will depend on the medication you are taking and the nebuliser you are using. Facemasks and mouthpieces are used to administer the medication straight into the airways.

Facemasks should not be used with drugs such as corticosteroids as these can cause irritation around the sensitive areas of the nose, eyes and mouth.

- Facemasks can be more beneficial for those patients that suffer from severe breathlessness and are often more suitable for younger children.

- Mouthpieces are more effective at reducing medication wasted.

3. What conditions are nebulizers recommended for?

Nebulisers are recommended for the management of serious respiratory conditions such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These devices can assist with long-term treatment and are also useful in emergency situations when breathing becomes very difficult.

Nebulizers are no longer recommended for the treatment of asthma as metered dose inhalers (MDI) have been found to be more effective for these conditions and are cheaper to produce and maintain. However nebulizers can still be effective at treating emergency asthma attacks with high-dose inhaled drugs.

4. Can nebulisers be used for mobility impaired patients?

Nebulizers are a practical option for mobility impaired patients suffering from respiratory conditions. Many patients are unable to use hand held devices such as MDIs when self-administering medication. Nebulisers can be much easier to use for patients with mobility problems.

Facemask nebulizer designs can also make the job of administering medication easier for carers. The nebulizers can be set up at the bedside or on a wheeled trolley ready for use.

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Want to Find Out More About Nebulizers? Common Questions Answered_82785.aspx

Author Resource :
Colin Sutton has been writing in the field of medical technology for many years and shares expert knowledge and advice on many products including Nebulizers which are still used for the treatment of a number of serious respiratory conditions. These devices offer an effective way to administer liquid medicine safely into the airways and lungs

Keywords : nebulisers , Nebulizers, tens machine, tens unit, tens electrodes,

Category : Health and Fitness : Health and Fitness

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