To start with, first you need to know what a nebulizer is. A nebulizer is a breathing device that facilitates better inhalation of medicines that are meant for treating a wide variety of respiratory diseases such as asthma and other lung diseases such as bronchiectasis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), chronic obstructive pulmonary dysplasia (COPD), and cystic fibrosis. This device aids in converting a liquid medicines into fine mist.
Nebulizer Supplies:
Generally, there are four different parts of nebulizer. They are
Air compressor
Nebulizer cup
Mouthpiece or Mask
Clean eye droppers or other measuring devices that enable you to dispense the medication
Caring and Maintenance Tips:
When you are completely dependent on a nebulizer for breathing treatments, you must ensure that it functions properly and last for longer period of time. For enhanced durability, you need to take proper care and maintain your nebulizer. Continue reading to know some useful caring and maintenance tips for a nebulizer.
First of all, you must clean your nebulizer after each use. Use warm water to rinse the nebulizer supplies such as cup, elbow, mouthpiece and mask after every use. After rinsing, allow them to dry. Continue doing this for each and every treatment. Once you complete all your treatments, probably by end of the day, wash all the parts of the nebulizer with warm, soapy water and let them dry. After it is completely dry, store your nebulizer equipment in a plastic, zipper storage bag.
It is always recommended to disinfect all the parts of the nebulizer in order to cease the growth of bacteria. You can prepare a soaking solution by using one part of vinegar with two parts of water. Allow the mask, mouthpiece and elbow to sit in the solution for 30 minutes. Then, take them and rinse thoroughly under running water. Care should be taken while washing the nebulizer parts under running water.
When the flexible tubing of your nebulizer looks cloudy, replace it immediately. Or you can replace as instructed by the manufacturer’s care guide. Moreover, if you are using your nebulizer regularly, then you have to replace the filter and nebulizer cup once in three months. This ensures effective and efficient delivery of medicated mist.
After every use, use damp cloth or disinfectant wipes to clean the surface of the compressor. When it is not used, use a clean cloth to cover the compressor. Never use dishwasher to clean your nebulizer parts.
Always remember to store your nebulizer equipment and medicines in cool and dry place. The place should be free from dirt and dust. Check your equipment and medicines very often. If you find that your medicines have changed color or formed crystals, throw them away and buy new medicines.
It is always advisable to have an extra nebulizer cup and mask or mouthpiece in case of emergencies.
Check whether the batteries of your portable nebulizer are fully charged. It would be better if you have some extra batteries on hand.
These are few generic tips to take care of your nebulizer; this would help you to keep your instrument in perfect condition and would last longer.
Showing posts with label nebulizer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nebulizer. Show all posts
Monday, August 9, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Efficacy of portable nebulizer supplies as effective home medical equipment in managing asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can cause potentially fatal episodes of wheezing and difficult breathing. These episodes are caused by inflammation, constriction, and swelling of the airways in the lungs, which in turn obstructs proper airflow through the lungs. According to certain online statistics, almost 22 million people across USA suffer from Asthma, of with majority are either children or adults in their early youth. These statistics only reiterate the need for effective management of asthma. However, there is no definitive cure for asthma; the treatment primarily involves providing relief from the symptoms followed by avoidance of triggers. We will discuss the efficacy and importance of nebulizers and supplies as effective home medical equipment in managing and treating asthma in various population groups.
Asthma nebulizer supplies, also called as nebs or breathing machines, have revolutionized asthma treatment. First, let us get the basics right. Nebulizer is a device that converts liquid medication into a fine mist. Now, how does the nebulizer help an asthmatic? Though the asthma medication can be delivered orally or intravenously, they take time to show effect and can have many side effects. However, with the help of the nebulizer, the patient can directly inhale the medication into the lungs and get faster and more effective relief from the symptoms. Thus, a home nebulizer along with quality nebulizer supplies is almost essential for optimal management of asthma.
However, many argue about the handiness of an asthma inhaler as compared to the inhaler. An asthma inhaler is a handheld device, which delivers the medication directly into the lungs. An inhaler is a much more discreet and portable device as compared to nebulizer. A nebulizer requires several supplies like air compressor, nebulizer cup, mouthpiece, and compressor tubing to function. However, all that an inhaler requires is a medication canister and an optional metered dose inhaler (MDI) unit. Just looking at this, one might agree that inhalers are surely a better option. But, one must realize that taking in the medication involves several steps, viz. coordinating your inhalation with the press of the inhaler unit, holding your breath for few seconds, and exhaling. This process, though sounds simple, can be very difficult to follow by a small child or an adult during asthma attack; thus reducing the efficacy of an inhaler. On the other hand, a portable nebulizer is an easy-to-use device. Using a proper sized mask, the patient can just breathe in the medication through both mouth and nose without worrying about coordinating inhalations and exhalations. Though traditional nebulizer units are bulky, the new age portable nebulizer units are more compact and battery operated, thus enabling effective treatment on the go.
So the final verdict: Though there are equally good options available in form of inhalers and MDIs, nebulizers are more cost effective and easier to use especially when treating infants and young children. Moreover, unlike inhalers, you can administer more than one medication simultaneously using a nebulizer. Thus, with more than 6 million cases of pediatric asthma being reported annually, nebulizer units are one of the most important and effective home medical equipment in managing asthma.
Asthma nebulizer supplies, also called as nebs or breathing machines, have revolutionized asthma treatment. First, let us get the basics right. Nebulizer is a device that converts liquid medication into a fine mist. Now, how does the nebulizer help an asthmatic? Though the asthma medication can be delivered orally or intravenously, they take time to show effect and can have many side effects. However, with the help of the nebulizer, the patient can directly inhale the medication into the lungs and get faster and more effective relief from the symptoms. Thus, a home nebulizer along with quality nebulizer supplies is almost essential for optimal management of asthma.
However, many argue about the handiness of an asthma inhaler as compared to the inhaler. An asthma inhaler is a handheld device, which delivers the medication directly into the lungs. An inhaler is a much more discreet and portable device as compared to nebulizer. A nebulizer requires several supplies like air compressor, nebulizer cup, mouthpiece, and compressor tubing to function. However, all that an inhaler requires is a medication canister and an optional metered dose inhaler (MDI) unit. Just looking at this, one might agree that inhalers are surely a better option. But, one must realize that taking in the medication involves several steps, viz. coordinating your inhalation with the press of the inhaler unit, holding your breath for few seconds, and exhaling. This process, though sounds simple, can be very difficult to follow by a small child or an adult during asthma attack; thus reducing the efficacy of an inhaler. On the other hand, a portable nebulizer is an easy-to-use device. Using a proper sized mask, the patient can just breathe in the medication through both mouth and nose without worrying about coordinating inhalations and exhalations. Though traditional nebulizer units are bulky, the new age portable nebulizer units are more compact and battery operated, thus enabling effective treatment on the go.
So the final verdict: Though there are equally good options available in form of inhalers and MDIs, nebulizers are more cost effective and easier to use especially when treating infants and young children. Moreover, unlike inhalers, you can administer more than one medication simultaneously using a nebulizer. Thus, with more than 6 million cases of pediatric asthma being reported annually, nebulizer units are one of the most important and effective home medical equipment in managing asthma.
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