Nebulizer for children – types, selection of the best. Nebulizer and inhaler [EXPLAIN]

Proven content

A nebulizer is a medical device that can be found more and more often in every home. It has become such a popular device as a refrigerator or an iron, because it is the basic device used in the treatment of respiratory infections. What is a nebulizer? Is it different from an inhaler? What should I pay attention to when buying a nebulizer?

What is a nebulizer?

The nebuliser is a medication container in which the medication is transformed from a liquid to a mist. Nebulizers are most often used in the treatment of long-term illnesses and in children who are unable to administer a dose with an inhaler.

What should you know about inhalers? Check: Home inhaler – how to choose the best model?

How is a nebulizer different from an inhaler?

The terms nebulizer and inhaler are often used interchangeably. Is it correct? The whole problem results from the lack of systematic knowledge in the field of aerosol therapy on the Internet or in the literature. Even people who are related to medicine have doubts about the interchangeability of these names, as the meaning of these terms has not been specified anywhere. What we can be sure is that the inhaler is a device used to perform inhalation in order to deliver a mist with a medicinal substance to the respiratory tract, while a nebulizer is defined as one of the main elements of an inhaler whose task is to spray the medicinal substance. The interchangeable use of these terms is not a mistake and is acceptable both in the medical community and among manufacturers.

Types of nebulizers

There are three types of nebulizers available on the medical market.

1. The first is pneumatic-piston nebulizerwhich is the most popular. It works by compressing the gas through the compressor to which the nebulizer is connected, creating a high pressure that breaks the drug down into tiny particles that are inhaled into the respiratory tract. The pneumatic piston nebulizer is versatile as it can be used with most drugs. Today you can buy a pneumatic-piston inhaler with particle size regulation Flaem 4Neb at Medonet Market.
2. Another kind is electric nebulizer also called ultrasonic. The main element of this nebulizer is the heating plate on which the medicine is placed. Under the influence of an electron charge, the plate vibrates, creating sound waves which causes the medicine to aerosolize. The electric nebulizer is a very quiet and handy device thanks to its small size. The disadvantage of this nebulizer is its high price and the limitation of administering certain drugs through it. 
3. The last type of nebulizer is membrane nebulizer characterized by high efficiency and high price, thanks to its action the drug goes to hardly accessible places in the respiratory tract. The most commonly used nebulizer at home is the pneumatic nebulizer due to its versatility and the possibility of using it in the treatment of various infections and in the administration of many different medicinal preparations. TM-NEB NANO portable membrane inhaler buy today at Medonet Market.

If you want to know more about anti-cough inhalations, check out: Cough inhalations

What should I pay attention to when buying a nebulizer?

The type of nebulizer is one of the basic selection criteria for this home medical equipment. However, in order to choose the nebulizer that is right for you, you should pay attention to several important technical parameters. When selecting a nebuliser, the following are important:

1. particle size determined by the MMAD index, i.e. Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter and FPF%. The above-mentioned index indicates the size of the droplets sprayed by the nebulizer. FPF%, on the other hand, defines the percentage of particles smaller than 5 µm. It is recommended that the MMAD index be as low as possible, while the FPF% value should be between 80 and 90%;
2. home medical equipment compressor performance. It is recommended to buy nebulizers with a compressor capacity of at least between 8 and 10 l / min;
3. duration of the nebulization treatment – the basic rule is that the shorter the nebulization time, the better the nebulizer is. The time of nebulization is important especially in the case of the youngest patients, because children get impatient, fidgeting and want to finish the procedure very quickly;
4. residual capacity – that is, the amount of drug remaining in the nebulizer after nebulization is complete. Obviously, the smaller the residual volume of the drug, the better the nebulizer. The optimal capacity is 0,5 ml and less.
5. ease of cleaning and maintenance of the nebulizer;
6. additional equipment for the nebulizer, i.e. additional masks, tips, equipment packaging.

Are you looking for the right nebuliser? Check the offer of devices available at medonetmarket.pl.

Which nebulizer for a child should I choose?

There are many nebulizers for children on the current market, varying in price, ranging from PLN 50 to 500 and differing in the way they work. It is worth paying attention to several features that will help us choose the best nebulizer for a child. One of the obvious features that should be important to us is the high-quality workmanship of the baby nebulizer. It is very important that the product is solid and made of safe materials. Most often, cheap nebulizers for children do not fulfill their function, they break quickly and the coupling system loses its tightness. Another element that we should pay attention to is equipping the nebulizer for children with a strong and durable motor, which will allow for effective therapy and shorten the inhalation process. An important feature, but also very often overlooked when buying, is to pay attention to whether the selected nebulizer has standard sizes of connectors and tips of interchangeable elements, such as a nebulization mask. In addition, when buying a nebulizer, it is worth paying attention to whether the selected type has the option of continuous operation, masks for adults and children or a nasal irrigator used in sinus infections.

What is nebulization?

Nebulization is a type of medical procedure that can be easily performed at home with the appropriate equipment. Nebulization is the administration of a given drug to the patient in the form of a mist, which enters the respiratory system through the mouth. The advantage of nebulization is a significant acceleration of the action of the drug, as well as a reduction in the size of its dose. This allows you to limit the possible adverse side effects of the therapy.

The nebulizer used for nebulization sprays the drug in the form of a mist consisting of droplets of various sizes. The exact part of the respiratory system to be absorbed depends on the size of the droplets. Drops with a volume greater than 8 µm are absorbed in the nose and throat, the first part of the respiratory system. The smallest droplets, the volume of which does not exceed 3 µm, are absorbed in the alveoli. The mist from the nebulizer is inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece.

More important information about the structure and function of the respiratory system can be found here: Everything you need to know about the respiratory system

What preparations are used for nebulization?

Various drugs are used for the nebulization procedure, but most often the task of each of them is to improve the functioning of the respiratory system. The drugs that are administered with a nebulizer include:

1. drugs from the group of antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides, carbenicillin, colistin, ceftazidime, vancomycin, amphotericin B;
2. glucocorticoids;
3. drugs to widen the airways and bronchi;
4. mucolytic drugs that liquefy and reduce the viscosity of mucus;
5. drugs that inhibit the transmembrane transport of sodium ions;
6. saline to moisturize the respiratory tract and during infection;
7. iodine-bromine brines. 3

How to recognize upper respiratory tract infections? Check out: The first symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection that must not be ignored

How to use the nebulizer correctly?

A nebulizer is a home medical device, the operation of which is rather easy. Each nebuliser comes with an information leaflet with detailed instructions for use of the device. The process of using a nebulizer can be divided into several stages:

1. initially, a measured dose of the drug is poured into the nebulizer, if necessary, the drug is diluted with saline;
2. the nebulizer connects to the mouthpiece or face mask. It is worth mentioning that the leakage of the device reduces the effective dose by up to 50-80%;
3. connect the nebulizer to the compressor via a hose;
4. when connected to a power source, the compressor turns on;
5. while the compressor is running, check the nebulizer cooling air inlet and outlet;
6. after completion of nebulization, disconnect the nebulizer from the compressor, unscrew the nebulizer and remove the nozzle, then wash all plastic parts in warm water and dry;
7. for technical and hygienic reasons, the nebulizer should be replaced every 6-12 months.

When performing the nebulization procedure, you should also remember a few basic rules. During nebulization, sit or lie down with your head slightly tilted back. The mask should fit snugly around your face so as not to lose much of the medicine. During nebulization, take gentle and deep breaths. After the treatment is completed, you should wash your face and often your teeth. This will avoid discoloration and carious changes.

Diseases of the respiratory tract treatable with nebulization

Nebulization is a procedure used especially in cases of chronic diseases occurring within the upper respiratory tract. The indications for nebulization are:

1. chronic severe bronchial asthma and severe exacerbation of this disease;
2. chronic or exacerbated cystic fibrosis;
3. chronic bronchitis;
4. chronic obstructive pneumonia;
5. chronic respiratory tract infections;
6. acute diseases of the lower respiratory tract;

Is nebulization appropriate for every patient?

Nebulization, like any other procedure, is not recommended for every patient struggling with chronic respiratory diseases. Always consult your doctor before trying a nebuliser. Contraindications to the nebulization procedure are: severe heart failure, respiratory failure related to the bronchial obstruction mechanism, respiratory haemorrhage, and severe respiratory diseases such as cancer or tuberculosis.