These days, many medications are available as inhaled treatments. This medication method offers medication directly to the airway, which provides instant relief for breathing or lung diseases. A nebulizer is one such machine, which converts liquid medicine into mist and offers direct inhalation treatment. Nebulizer is an efficient and life-saving treatment for acute asthma or cystic fibrosis as it provides instant relief from breathing problems. But to get proper relief, one needs to use nebulizer correctly. When inhaled correctly, the medicine in nebulizer will become mist and reach the small airways, reducing breathing issues. Nebulizer has three parts: a cup that holds medication, a mouthpiece and a thin plastic tube that connects the mouthpiece to the compressor.
Things to watch out for
Nebulizer is a crucial tool that can save a life by dealing with breathlessness and other symptoms associated with a lung disease. Hence, it is important to watch out for certain things. One has to assemble, use and clean it carefully to ensure its proper usage. The equipment has be clean and shall not harbor any bacteria or pathogens. Some of the things you need to watch out for are listed below.
1. Before preparing for any treatment, wash your hands with a disinfectant soap. Always use a clean nebulizer. If the air filter is dirty, remove it and run it in cold water for two minutes. Allow it to dry well. Never put compressor in water.
2. Always check the mask for misting. Refer to the product’s instruction manual to learn how to assemble the nebulizer correctly.
3. Nebulizer are of two types: one with finger valve and other with mask. Refer to a physician to know which one is a better for the particular ailment.
4. Clean the equipment once or twice a week.
DIY steps to use nebulizer
1. Assembling the nebulizer
Wash your hands with a disinfectant soap. Assemble the nebulizer by referring to instruction manual. If you don’t have a portable compressor, then place it where it can safely reach the power source and can be easily switched on/off. Measure the correct dose of medication and other solutions prescribed by the physician. Add them. Mix saline water to the medicine cup if your doctor has instructed you to do so. Now connect the air tube from the compressor to nebulizer base. Make sure that the connection is strong. Attach the mouthpiece. Turn the compressor, check nebulizer for misting. In case the nebulizer is not misting, then check all connections or refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Steps to take the nebulizer treatment with finger valve
Keep the mouthpiece in your mouth between the teeth and close your lips around it. Make sure that your nebulizer is held in an upright position. This would avoid spillage and promote breathing process. Gently breathe out. If the nebulizer has a finger valve, then you need to cover the hole on the valve to start the mist.
3. Breathing process
As the mist starts, breathe in deeply and slowly for three to five seconds. Keep holding the finger valve. At the end of deep breathe; uncover the finger valve to stop the mist. Now, hold your breath for 8 to 10 seconds. The medication will now deposit in the airway. After holding breath, you can directly repeat the process. Resume normal breathing.
Repeat these steps until the medicine is over or till the onset of inconsistent nebulization.
4. Using a nebulizer with mask
Some nebulizers are available with a mask rather than a finger valve. In such cases, the step for taking the nebulized treatment is a little different. If you have mask nebulizer, then hold the mask to the face so that both nose and mouth are covered. Turn the compressor to start mist. Keep your head upright so that the solution reaches your airways. Occasionally tap the side of the nebulizer to help the solution drop to where it is misted. Breathe deeply and slowly throughout the treatment.
Continue using till the medicine is finished or until the onset of sputtering.
5. Cleaning after each use
After each use, take apart the nebulizer and wash all parts except the compressor and finger valve in mild dish wash and warm water. Let it dry on a clean cloth or towel. To make the equipment dry quickly, you can reattach the pieces to the air compressor and switch in on. Before storing nebulizer, make sure that it is completely dry. Cleaning a nebulizer with mask also follows similar procedure.
6. Cleaning once a week
This requires you to use vinegar and water. Firstly, wash your hands, then soak all the parts except compressor, mask and tube for 1 hour in a solution made of one part distilled white vinegar and three parts of hot water. Make sure that the solution is fresh. After soaking for an hour, rinse them in water. Discard remaining solution. Shake of the excess water and let the equipment dry.
7. Compressor
Every compressor might need different care. Therefore, check for manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning the compressor.
Remember, before buying a nebulizer, discuss in detail with your physician about when and how the nebulizer shall be used. Also, take a note about medicines and medication combination that shall be used.
