A hand held nebulizer is simply an inhaler which gives out a medication in a liquid vapour form. It is used by asthma patients who wear a mask connected to the hand held nebulizer and breathes in the vapor. The vapor is distributed from the machine through plastic tubing and into a mouthpiece in the mask area. But some asthmatics with acute asthma are unable to use a metered-dose inhaler. For these patients, the doctor prescribes an ultrasonic nebulizer.
In this article, we will tell you how the hand held nebulizer works.
The medicine given through the nebulizer loosens the phlegm and mucous so that it is coughed out easily. The hand held nebulizer helps to relax the muscles in the trachea and thus, air is allowed to move about the lungs more freely. The biggest point is that breathing the medicine right into the lungs is much more effective for rapid relief of asthma symptoms than receiving medicine in the mouth,.
The treatment with a hand held nebulizer last not more than 15 to 20 minutes. This kind of a nebulizer is generally used for young children and infants, because they do not know how to use an Albuterol inhaler.
The drawback of using a hand held nebulizer is that it does not cure your ailment permanently, rather relieves it temporarily. Another thing is asthma drugs may have certain side effects.
Tips on cleaning a nebulizer -
Since nebulizers are used to send medicine directly to the lungs, with the intention of loosening mucus, it is important to keep the nebulizer clean and safe. Once the treatment is completed, you may do the following to clean your nebulizer so that it works properly.
- After the treatment is complete, turn off the nebulizer.
- Then disconnect the nebulizer cup, tubing and mask from one another.
- Now add a few drops of mild dish washing detergent into a cup of warm water.
- Now take a clean cloth and soak it in the warm soapy water.
- Wash the hand held nebulizer cup, tubing and mask. Remember not to submerge the cup or tubing in water or place these parts in the dishwasher.
- Now rinse off all of the soapy parts of the nebulizer.
- Once done, lay the parts to dry on a clean towel.
- When the nebulizer parts are thoroughly dried, put them in a plastic bag.
You can also clean the nebulizer cup with equal parts vinegar and water once a week. Check the filter regularly, and if its tatters or takes on a brown colouring, you must replace it immediately.
