People with respiratory problems need nebulizers just like people with vision problems need glasses. It is a tool that delivers liquid or aerosol medications that help the user breathe via a mask or a mouthpiece. Medication that is taken with a nebulizer can help treat acute conditions or prevent existing problems from getting worse. And that is not all.
A nebulizer changes the form of the medications from liquid to mist so that it can easily be inhaled directly into the lungs. Luckily, a variety of medications (both for fast relief or for a prolonged treatment of asthma symptoms) are available to be used with a nebulizer. Moreover, it can be immensely convenient when a large dose of inhaled medication is prescribed.
It is useful to know that there are home (tabletop) and portable nebulizers. The tabletop model comes in a larger size and it has to be plugged into an electrical outlet. On the other hand, a portable nebulizer is a more convenient choice, since it runs on batteries and its small size makes it possible to carry it in a purse, briefcase or backpack. You can use it each time you need it, regardless of your location. The batteries can be either disposable or rechargeable, or you can simply plug it into a car’s cigarette lighter.
Another benefit of nebulizers, be it a tabletop or a portable nebulizer, is that they require very little effort to use. With inhalers, you are required to take deep breaths when you need to inhale your medication. This can be a challenge for younger children, elderly users, disabled individuals and for those that simply can’t manage taking deep breathes without feeling constant pain. This is when nebulizers have proven to be of great help. The medication in a nebulizer treatment flows continuously, and the user can breathe with a normal pace during the entire treatment. Moreover, the whole session doesn’t even last long. It takes between 5 and 10 minutes for the delivery of a full dose of medication. This simple procedure makes nebulizers useful for babies too.
Lastly, cleaning and disinfecting your nebulizer is very important and quite simple. Proper care is needed to prevent possible infections, and you should do it in a dust-free area away from open windows. First, you need to rinse the nebulizer cup after each treatment using warm water. After that, you let the cup air dry. Plus, you need to wash the mask too, with warm soapy water using a mild detergent every day. And every third day you need to disinfect them too. You can use either a vinegar/water solution or a special disinfectant recommended by your doctor. For the home-made solution, you need to mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 11/2 cups of water. Soak the pieces of equipment for 20 minutes, and rinse well afterwards. Finally, shake off the excess water and let them air dry on a paper towel. After they are completely dry, you should store them in a plastic, zippered bag.
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