How Nebulizers Help With Asthma And COPD

A nebulizer is a type of breathing device that converts liquid medicine into aerosols (mist or very fine droplets), which you breathe in with the help of a mask or mouthpiece to be delivered directly into your lungs. It is the best and most promising treatment that quickly subsides coughing caused by several respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. Nebulizer treatment gives prompt relief from cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Coughing is a common symptom that occurs due to lung irritation as a result of various lung conditions.

A nebulizer is one of the most promising treatment devices for cough occurring due to the below conditions:

• Asthma: In asthma, the airways of the lungs become inflamed, resulting in pain in the chest followed by coughing.
• COPD: COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease that causes obstruction in the airflow. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest tightening, and wheezing. The most commonly prescribed form of treatment for COPD includes inhalers and nebulizers.
• Allergies: Allergies are responses of the immune system to foreign substances or particular allergens. Coughing is the most common symptom of seasonal allergies that can also trigger asthma symptoms or an attack.
• Acute Bronchitis: Acute Bronchitis is a type of viral infection that causes inflammation in the bronchial tubes which lead to obstruction in the airways. Common symptoms include persistent cough, production of mucus, fatigue, and chills. The most effective treatment for bronchitis is a nebulizer. Medications through nebulizers directly reach your lungs, reduce inflammation, and help in breathing.
• Cystic fibrosis and lung transplant patients: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. The use of inhaled antimicrobial therapy has been an important feature in cystic fibrosis management. It helps reduce airway infection and the prevention of invasive fungal infection in lung transplant patients.

Why Choose A Nebulizer For Treatment of Asthma and COPD

Nebulizers are considered one of the best methods to treat acute wheeze and breathlessness as, just like with inhalers, the medication directly goes into the lungs. Because of this, nebulizer medications require less dosage than oral drugs and hence, have fewer side effects.

Doctors recommend nebulization for asthmatics who struggle to use inhalers or do not get the required benefit from inhalers. Nebulizers can be used by a person of any age and are especially helpful for infants and kids who are unable to use inhalers. Nebulization gives prompt relief from coughing and shortness of breath as it relaxes the airways of the lungs, and reduces lung irritation. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids are given as nebulized medication for the management of asthma.

• Nebulized Bronchodilators: They relax the tight lung muscles and help in breathing.
• Nebulized Corticosteroids: They are an optimal long-term asthma treatment as they reduce inflammation over a long period of time.

Caring for your Nebulizer

If you have a nebulizer at home, you will be using it for a long period of time. The device needs proper care so you can use it effectively. Here is how you can care for your nebulizer -

• Clean the nebulizer machine after each use.
• Disinfect nebulizer parts with vinegar/soap solution diluted with warm water, do not soak the mask in it. Post disinfection, wash the parts with clean water.
• Air dry all the parts.
• Store the nebulizer medication safely in a cool and dry place.
• Keep the device covered with a clean cloth in a clean and safe place.

It is critically important that the patient or the caregiver should know how to use, clean, and disinfect the nebulizer machine timely to prevent it from getting damaged, which could make it not function correctly.

References :

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4527977/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7172670/
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/asthma
4. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2014/november2014/bronchitis-breathing-easier- through-treatment-and-management
5. https://www.drugs.com/cg/how-to-use-a-nebulizer.html

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