Cleaning and disinfecting your home nebulizer equipment is simple and very
important. Proper care prevents infection. Cleaning should be done in a dust-
and smoke-free area away from open windows.
Follow these instructions when cleaning your equipment:
After each treatment, rinse the nebulizer cup thoroughly with warm water,
shake off excess water, and let air dry. At the end of each day, the nebulizer
cup, mask or mouthpiece should be washed in warm soapy water using a mild
detergent, rinsed thoroughly, and allowed to air dry. You do not need to clean
the compressor tubing.
Every third day, after washing your equipment, disinfect the equipment
using either a vinegar/water solution or the disinfectant solution your
equipment supplier suggests. To use the vinegar solution, mix 1/2 cup white
vinegar with 1 1/2 cups of water. Soak the equipment for 20 minutes and rinse
well under a steady stream of water. Shake off the excess water and allow to
air dry on a paper towel. Always allow the equipment to completely dry before
storing in a plastic, zippered bag.
Storing
Cover the compressor with a clean cloth when not in use. Keep it clean by
wiping it with a clean, damp cloth as needed.
Do not put the air compressor on the floor either for treatments or for
storage.
Medications should be stored in a cool, dry place. Check them often. If
they have changed color or formed crystals, throw them away and replace them
with new ones.
Other tips
Always have an extra nebulizer cup and mask or mouthpiece in case you need
it.
Check the air compressor's filter as directed. Replace or clean according
to the directions from your equipment supplier.
Reviewed by
the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.
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.
Asthma RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the