How to Use a Nebulizer

30.07.2010 | Author: clacar | Posted in Asthma

If you are an asthmatic or someone who knows an asthmatic, it is beneficial to know how to use nebulizer. Nebulizers can save lives in dire consequences of sudden asthma attacks. This article will tackle how to use a nebulizer.

Firstly, what are nebulizers, and what are they for?

Nebulizers are devices that transform liquid medicine into mist. The mist is inspired to treat respiratory disorders and ailments, like cystic fibrosis, COPD, but usually asthma. nebulizers are also sometimes used for aromatherapy treatments.

There are two kinds of nebulizers, one is the ultrasonic nebulizer and the other is the compressor nebulizer. Both are as effective as one another. Compressor nebulizers use air to transform the liquid medication into mist, while the ultrasonic nebulizer use vibration to turn the medication into mist. That pretty much is the difference between them, aside from the fact that ultrasonic nebulizers are usually more portable.

Below are the usual procedures on how to use a nebulizer that will surely be helpful for first time asthma patients or for people who have loved ones with asthma.

  • Before using a nebulizer, make sure you wash your hands and keep them clean. Make sure the nebulizer is clean.
  • Open the cup and place the medication inside the cup. Close the nebulizer cup.
  • Connect the tubing into the nebulizer and attach the mask (usually for infants and younger children) or mouthpiece (usually for older children and adults) to the nebulizer cup.
  • Turn the nebulizer on and make sure mist is coming out of the mouthpiece or mask.
  • If you are using a mouthpiece, hold the mouthpiece with your mouth and gently bite onto it. Gently breathe in and out using your mouth. Keep holding the nebulizer cup in an upright position.
  • If you are using a mask, place the mask over the mouth and nose. Keep holding the cup in an upright position.
  • If the nebulizer starts to sputter, that means that most of the medication is gone. Tapping the nebulizer cup can help the remaining medicine to drop to where it can be turned into mist.
  • Clean and dry the nebulizer and the nebulizer parts after use. Make sure the nebulizer is completely dry before storing it in a cool, dry place. This way, you can keep the apparatus from hosting germs that can cause infections and make the patient’s condition worse.

    • Keep this in mind: nebulisers are used only during an asthma attack and not prior. Therefore, a stock of the prescribed medicine should be kept in a cool dry place where little kids can’t reach.

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