An asthmanebulizer, also known as a breathing machine, changes asthma medication from a liquid to a mist, so that it can be more easily inhaled into the lungs. Home nebulizer therapy is particularly effective in delivering asthma medications to infants and small children and to anyone who is unable to use asthma inhalers with spacers.
To obtain an asthma nebulizer, you need a prescription from your
physician. Home nebulizers vary in cost (approximately $200-250) and are
usually covered under the durable medical equipment portion of health insurance
policies. However, most insurance companies will require you to work with a
specified durable medical equipment supplier. Check with your insurance company
before purchasing or renting to ensure it will be covered. Your health care
provider should be able to assist you with these arrangements.
How do I use a home nebulizer?
First, you will need the following supplies:
Air compressor
Nebulizer cup
Mask or mouthpiece
Medication (either unit dose vials or bottles with
measuring devices)
Compressor tubing
Once you have the necessary supplies:
Place the air compressor on a sturdy surface that will support its weight.
Plug the cord from the compressor into a properly grounded (three-prong)
electrical outlet.
Before asthma treatment, wash your hands with soap and water and dry
completely.
Carefully measure medications exactly as you have been instructed and put
them into the nebulizer cup. Most medications today come in premeasured unit
dose vials so measuring is not necessary. If you do measure, use a separate,
clean measuring device for each medication.
Assemble the nebulizer cup and mask or mouthpiece.
Connect the tubing to both the aerosol compressor and nebulizer cup.
Turn on the compressor to make sure it is working correctly. You should see a light mist coming from the back of the tube opposite the mouthpiece.
Sit up straight on a comfortable chair. If the treatment is for your child, he or she may sit on your lap. If you are using a mask, position it comfortably and securely on your or your child's face. If you are using a mouthpiece, place it between your or your child's teeth and seal the lips around it.
Take slow, deep breaths. If possible, hold each breath for 2-3 seconds
before breathing out. This allows the medication to settle into the
airways.
Continue the treatment until the medication is gone (an average of 10
minutes). The nebulizer will make a sputtering noise, and the cup will have
just a little medication remaining.
If dizziness or jitteriness occurs, stop the treatment and rest for about 5 minutes. Continue the treatment, and try to breathe more slowly. If dizziness
or jitteriness continues to be a problem with future treatments, inform your
doctor.
During the treatment, if the medication sticks to the sides of the nebulizer
cup, you may shake the cup to loosen the droplets.
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Patients who have infrequent, mild bouts of asthma attacks may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat their asthma symptoms. OTC asthma medicines are limited to epinephrine and ephedrine. These OTC drugs are best used with the guidance of a physician, as there may be side effects and the drugs may not be very effective.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
There are two types of asthma medications: long-term control with anti-inflammatory drugs and quick relief from bronchodilators. Asthma medicines may be inhaled using a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer or they may be taken orally. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart disease shouldn't take OTC drugs like Primatene Mist and Bronkaid.
The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.
Before we present the typical symptoms of asthma, we should dispel some
common myths about this condition. This is best achieved by conducting a short
true or false quiz.
T or F - Asthma is "all in the mind."
T or F - You will "grow out of it."
T or F - Asthma can be cured, so it is not serious and nobody dies from it.
T or F - You are likely to develop asthma if someone in your family has it.
T or F - You can "catch" asthma from someone else who has it.
T or F - Moving to a different location, such as the desert, can cure
asthma.
T or F - People with asthma should not exercise.
T or F - Asthma is best controlled when one has an asthma management plan designed by your doctor. This should include the medications used for quick relief as well as maintenance therapy.
T or F - Medications used to treat asthma are habit...
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