What differences are there among nebulizers?

From the way it works, an inhaler is practically a nebulizer. It is able to atomize water solutions or medications into fine particles so that the respiratory tract can absorb them in a rapid and efficient manner and benefit from their properties. An inhaler also can deliver aerosolized medications (with solid or liquid particles in the air) to the right place. Thus, inhalers offer a gentle therapy when it comes to asthma or respiratory diseases, and where drugs, salt solutions or plain water steam can be used to moisten dry mucous membranes in an effective way.

Individual inhalers differ not only in size but also in the type of technology used, and co can have various capacities. The very small inhalers for the pocket are usually already filled with medication. When using larger devices for home use, you can decide for yourself what to fill the nebulizer with.

Small, portable devices use a special vibration technology. It presses the liquid medication through the fine holes of a nebulizer membrane. The advantage of such a small device is that it can be easily taken anywhere and is quickly ready to use. It comes together with a mouth piece or a mask to be placed over the nose and mouth.

Among the electric nebulizers, we can find that some of them use a compressor. The compressor ensures that the agents will be projected into the airways. The compressor produces compressed air, which nebulizes the medication into fine particles that you can easily inhale. Depending on the manufacturer, there are compressor inhalers with or without silicon valves. These valves synchronize the breathing and inhalation. However, they also have to be cleaned regularly.

Special inhalers include those, which work with high-frequency ultrasound. This technology forces water to vibrate, so the particles of the medication can dissolve (in a separate container). They get mixed with the air and can reach the airways directly through the air duct. Electric nebulizers also come with a mouthpiece or mask.

The nebulization rate or atomization rate indicates the flow in milliliters per minute that the device is able to dispense. Since the nebulization rate also depends on the density of the drugs, the indication of the nebulization rate can only be regarded as an average, or maximum, value. A relatively high nebulization rate is, for example, > 0.4 ml / min. The higher the nebulization rate, the shorter the duration of inhalation required. However, you should note that the nebulization rate decreases with an increase in the temperature of the water. The colder the water, the lower he nebulization rate is. Therefore, please pay attention to the instructions in the user manual. Another term that occurs in connection with inhalers is 'respirable particles'. The higher the proportion of respirable particles, the more efficient the inhaler is.

Your doctor can inform you about the exact amount of medication and the duration of the inhalation. When using ultrasonic inhalers, make sure you fill the water tank with distilled water or an appropriate saline solution. During inhalation, stay calm and relaxed, and breathe slowly and deeply. This will help to allow the medication to flow in the deeper bronchioles. Then exhale normally. To avoid the transmission of infectious diseases, one inhaler should only ever be used by the same person.