What is nebulizer for asthma therapy?
The nebulizer is used in cases when a solution is prescribed for inhalation. With the help of this device, the liquid preparation is transformed into an aerosol one. It allows the drug to penetrate more deeply into the lungs to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect.
Use of a nebulizer for asthma
Inhalation with a nebulizer is important in the therapy for bronchial asthma. Inhalation can be carried out either using a standard inhaler or nebulizer. The question arises: which inhaling machine is better for asthma.
Each model presented on the market today has its advantages and disadvantages. It is worth paying attention to and taking into account that a nebulizer should transform liquid meds for asthma into the particle with size – 2-2.5 microns. If the particles are smaller, they cannot reach the desired area. If the particles are greater in size, then it will cover the trachea or nasopharynx not reaching the small bronchus or alveoli.
Since medications are usually very expensive for asthma treatment, it is better to choose nebulizers with inhalation and exhalation valves, since they have a loss of 20-25%. The control is made by breathing, the valves are activated by inhalation.
The medicine for asthma with a nebulizer should belong to long-lasting. The nebulizer should select in a proper way not to spoil the overall therapy of this respiratory disease.
Treatments for asthma with a nebulizer
Nebulizers for asthma are an incredible option for treatment. Asthma nebulizer medications should contain a substance such as salbutamol or albuterol. It helps increase the bronchial lumen and removes bronchospasms.
This substance is contained in such drugs as Astalin, Ventolin, and others. In addition, drugs that dilute sputum, the so-called mucolytics (active ingredient Ambroxol), are required.
In addition to the above drugs antibacterial drugs, as well as immunomodulators are prescribed.
Medication | Group of drug | Mechanism of action | Procedure description | Duration, frequency | |
AmbroHEXAL | mucolytics | provides sputum dilution and effective spitting | as prescribed by a doctor | 2-4 times a day | |
Lasolvan | mucolytics | it is oriented on sputum secretion | 1 procedure/2-3 ml | 2-4 times a day | |
Ambrobene | mucolytics | it stimulates albuminous cells of the bronchial mucosa glands | up to 25 mg/kg/day | 2-3 times a day | |
Fluimucil | mucolytics | it is oriented on sputum secretion | it is not necessary to use normal saline, the dosage is 3 ml for one inhalation | 2 times a day | |
Berodual | bronchial spasmolytic | active effect with bronchial expansion | 3–4 ml | several times a day as prescribed by a physician | |
Ventolin Nebules | bronchodilating agent | it helps relieve bronchospasm | as prescribed by a doctor | as prescribed by a doctor | |
Berotec | bronchodilating agent | it relieves bronchospasm | in the exacerbation period, it is recommended to increase the dosage, there is no definite dosage for one procedure, 1-2 ml, as this preparation is released is a prepared solution | remission stage: 1-2 times a day, exacerbation period – 3-4 times a day | |
Salbutamol | bronchodilating agent | it relieves bronchospasm | The preparation is not used in the pure form. The dosage may vary from от 1 mg to 5 mg | 1-2 or 3-4 times a day depending on the severity of the disease | |
CromoHEXAL Nebules | cromone | anti-allergic agents, which are mast cell stabilizers | as prescribed by a doctor | as prescribed by a doctor | |
Fluimucil-antibiotic | antibiotics | depresses the triggers | the preparation should be mixed. For a ready solution. 5 ml of infusion id required plus normal saline | 2 times a day, as prophylaxis – 1 time a day | |
0,9% saline | alkalotic and saline solution | it moisturizes mucosal lining for faster sputum secretion | 3-4 ml | 3-4 times a day |
Controller medications for asthma used with a nebulizer machine
Controller drugs are also known as preventive. This type includes medications that the attending physician prescribes to the patient for daily use in order to control the inflammatory process (edema) in the lungs and prevent asthma attacks. There are several types of control drugs, but the most common are:
- inhaled corticosteroids (steroids);
- a combination of inhaled steroids;
- long-acting bronchodilators.
Long-acting bronchodilators are used for the treatment of asthma only in combination with other drugs, such as inhaled steroids, and can prevent the obstruction of the respiratory tract for a long period. These medications can be applied with the help of nebulizers.
Controlling drugs are not used to relieve an asthma attack, either alone or in combination with other drugs.
Nebulizer use in asthma
We are glad to offer you watching a video of how to use a nebulizer in asthma:
The best nebulizers for asthma
Unfortunately, there is no consensus upon this issue. All existing nebulizer machine models have their pros and cons, their own nuances, focus on certain categories of patients.
Nevertheless, in the treatment of bronchial asthma, as well as chronic obstructive bronchitis, several important points should be taken into account:
- the size of the particles produced;
- the percentage of particles of optimal size in the total volume of the aerosol.
The optimum size of 2-2.5 microns, acceptable – up to 5 microns. These particles cover the small bronchi and alveoli. Smaller particles, getting into the lungs when inhaling are exhaled back. Larger particles settle in large bronchi, trachea, nasopharynx.
For the treatment of bronchial asthma, quite expensive medications are often used, and nebulizers have such characteristics as expiratory drug losses. This is the amount of medication you purchased that did not get into the lungs during inhalation but literally “flew out” of the tube:
- Simple (direct-flow) nebulizers have a loss of up to 60-65%.
- Nebulizers with inhalation/exhalation valves (controlled by inhalation, breathable) – 25-35% (when used correctly).
- Inhaler machine for asthma with flow interruption devices (buttons, economizers) – up to 10% (also with proper use).
Unfortunately, the treatment of bronchial asthma is a very long process. Nebulizers have a well-defined shelf life, after which the device begins to produce more and more large particles that do not reach the necessary area. Moreover, the patient during inhalation does not notice any effect. The effectiveness of treatment decreases, the risk of side effects increases. The simplest models require a sprayer change every 2-3 months, but there are models that serve a year and more.