•12:33 PM
If you’ve been reading this blog you’re already familiar with an MDI or inhaler. You’re probably thinking, that’s great for someone with the ability to coordinate the breathing and actuation of the inhaler that’s required but what do we do with a young child or an elderly relative. An inhaler can still be used with the addition of a spacer which slows down the delivery of the medication allowing greater benefits with less coordination. These spacers can be used with a mouthpiece or a mask. To get even greater benefits a nebulizer is the treatment of choice.
A nebulizer compressor is a machine that turns a liquid into a mist. Most of the medications available in an MDI/inhaler are also available as a liquid. These medications have to be mixed with a sterile saline solution but most now come in pre-mixed vials.
There are many nebulizer compressors available. They are small and will fit on a night stand or end table. They are small enough to take take with you when going out of the house but they require electricity and are not small enough to fit into a purse or handbag. There are smaller, portable nebulizer compressors on the market with rechargeable batteries but a lot of people complain that they lack the power of the larger ones. A nebulizer treatment usually takes about 10 minutes. With the portable nebulizer it may take 15-20 minutes for 1 treatment but the machines are small enough to fit into a larger purse or they come with a small case to carry with you.
A nebulizer treatment can be done with a mouthpiece or mask but because the mist is a constant flow there no coordination of breathing required. A mask can be used on an infant but you can aim the small hose attached to the nebulizer towards the face, though this is not the preferred method it can be less tiring when the child is combative during treatments. There are pediatric masks available that look like fish or dragons.
When using a nebulizer, whether using a mouthpiece or mask, it is desirable to be sitting or at least have the head elevated. This allows for deeper breathing and also uses gravity to help in getting the medication delivered deep into the lungs. Not every treatment will take the same amount of time. Treatment times may vary by a couple of minutes even when using the same machine. Don’t gauge the duration of the treatment by the clock. It is important to use all of the medication in the medication cup.
Rescue medications and inhaled steroids can be used in a nebulizer. It is important to rinse your mouth after use of an inhaled steroid just as you would with an MDI.
Cleaning
Rinse the nebulizer kit or medication cup and mouthpiece after each treatment and let it air dry, You also need to clean it daily in warm soapy water and disinfect it with 1:3 mixture of vinegar and water (1/2 cup vinegar and 1 ½ cups water). Allow the medicine cup and mouthpiece or mask to soak for 20 minutes. Rinse well and allow to air dry. It is not necessary to clean the tubing connecting the medicine cup to the machine since air is the only thing flowing through this tube.
Maintenance
Most nebulizer compressors have filters which need to be checked regularly, usually once a week. These start changing colors when they need to be changed or cleaned. Your equipment provider can provide you with extra filters and nebulizer kits.
A nebulizer compressor is a machine that turns a liquid into a mist. Most of the medications available in an MDI/inhaler are also available as a liquid. These medications have to be mixed with a sterile saline solution but most now come in pre-mixed vials.
There are many nebulizer compressors available. They are small and will fit on a night stand or end table. They are small enough to take take with you when going out of the house but they require electricity and are not small enough to fit into a purse or handbag. There are smaller, portable nebulizer compressors on the market with rechargeable batteries but a lot of people complain that they lack the power of the larger ones. A nebulizer treatment usually takes about 10 minutes. With the portable nebulizer it may take 15-20 minutes for 1 treatment but the machines are small enough to fit into a larger purse or they come with a small case to carry with you.
A nebulizer treatment can be done with a mouthpiece or mask but because the mist is a constant flow there no coordination of breathing required. A mask can be used on an infant but you can aim the small hose attached to the nebulizer towards the face, though this is not the preferred method it can be less tiring when the child is combative during treatments. There are pediatric masks available that look like fish or dragons.
When using a nebulizer, whether using a mouthpiece or mask, it is desirable to be sitting or at least have the head elevated. This allows for deeper breathing and also uses gravity to help in getting the medication delivered deep into the lungs. Not every treatment will take the same amount of time. Treatment times may vary by a couple of minutes even when using the same machine. Don’t gauge the duration of the treatment by the clock. It is important to use all of the medication in the medication cup.
Rescue medications and inhaled steroids can be used in a nebulizer. It is important to rinse your mouth after use of an inhaled steroid just as you would with an MDI.
Cleaning
Rinse the nebulizer kit or medication cup and mouthpiece after each treatment and let it air dry, You also need to clean it daily in warm soapy water and disinfect it with 1:3 mixture of vinegar and water (1/2 cup vinegar and 1 ½ cups water). Allow the medicine cup and mouthpiece or mask to soak for 20 minutes. Rinse well and allow to air dry. It is not necessary to clean the tubing connecting the medicine cup to the machine since air is the only thing flowing through this tube.
Maintenance
Most nebulizer compressors have filters which need to be checked regularly, usually once a week. These start changing colors when they need to be changed or cleaned. Your equipment provider can provide you with extra filters and nebulizer kits.
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