Nebulizer inhalation in the treatment of respiratory diseases

Conventionally, all inhalations can be divided into two groups:

1. Natural - when a person inhales clean mountain or sea air. This type of inhalation can be classified as therapeutic and prophylactic methods of therapy. This group has a mild therapeutic effect on the mucous membranes and is most effective for chronic diseases of the respiratory system, and also helps strengthen the immune system.
2. Artificial. This is the inhalation administration of drugs into the upper respiratory tract using inhalers (nebulizers).

A nebulizer is a special portable device for inhalation. The word itself is of Latin origin: “nebula” translated from this ancient language means cloud or fog. These devices transform liquid medicinal substances using compressed air into aerosols or cold vapor (fog). It is then sprayed into the upper and lower respiratory system.

Inhalations can be recommended for almost all types of cough, but it is necessary to take into account which drug will be selected by the doctor. It may be different for each specific disease. [1]

Contraindications to inhalation are:

1. Increased body temperature, more than 37.5 degrees.
2. Cough accompanied by purulent sputum.
3. Nosebleeds.
4. Allergic reactions or intolerance to the components included in the solution.
5. Arrhythmia.
6. Severe diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Benefits of inhalation:

1. A gentle and safe method of treatment.
2. Significant reduction in the period of illness.
3. Facilitating the process of sputum secretion.
4. Reducing the risk of pathological processes at all stages of the disease.
5. Reducing the severity of cough.
6. Possibility of using natural herbal ingredients.

Use of inhalations

• For the prevention of respiratory diseases and moisturizing the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
• Treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, COPD.
• In the complex treatment of rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis.
• For children and the elderly.
• For patients with severe illnesses.

Causes and treatment of cough

Benefits of inhalation

• Direct delivery of the drug to the area of ​​inflammation.
• Pure substance without impurities.
• Possibility to introduce any amount of dosed substance.
• Fast, instant action of the drug.
• Fewer side effects, since the drug does not enter the blood.
• Permitted for use in infancy, in postoperative conditions, and in coma.
• Maximum efficiency at the lowest cost.

Contraindications

Inhalations are not recommended for:

• elevated body temperature;
• cardiovascular failure;
• nosebleeds;
• emphysema;
• oncological diseases.

Inhalations for the prevention of colds and ARVI: are they effective?

The most effective way to prevent ARVI is still a proper and varied diet, taking vitamins and minerals, sleeping patterns, and a sufficient level of physical activity. However, inhalations with saline solution can also help in prevention during periods of seasonal increases in incidence. It is recommended to purchase saline solution at a pharmacy rather than prepare it yourself.

Inhalations are an effective and simple way to help a child cope with ARVI, colds, coughs and runny nose. To ensure that the procedure is safe and comfortable, and brings only positive results, choose the right mesh nebulizer for home use and use medications prescribed by your doctor for treatment. Be healthy!

Types of inhalers

The inhalation therapy method is based on the penetration of medicinal substances into the respiratory tract in the form of an aerosol, that is, tiny particles suspended in a gaseous medium. If aerosol is inhaled:

• particles larger than 5 microns settle in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract;
• particles from 1 to 5 microns settle in the lower respiratory tract;
• particles with a diameter less than 1 micron are exhaled back.

Inhalers are divided into types depending on the mechanism of particle formation.

Ultrasonic nebulizers

In ultrasonic inhalers, the drug is atomized due to high-frequency vibration of piezoelectric crystals.

Research shows that ultrasonic inhalations are effective due to the spraying of not only the medicinal substance itself, but also negatively charged particles, which have an additional anti-inflammatory effect.

However, this type of inhaler has a drawback: exposure to ultrasound destroys many medications (for example, antibiotics and phlegm thinners).

Compressor inhalers

A compressor inhaler converts the drug into a fine aerosol using compressed air from a compressor.

The compressor inhaler is considered the most effective for affecting all parts of the respiratory tract. Its great advantage is the creation of an aerosol suspension with a very small particle size of the drug substance. You can use any medications that are intended for inhalation.

Steam inhalers

Based on the evaporation of medicinal substances under the influence of high temperatures.

Flaws:

• you can get a burn to the mucous membrane;
• affect only the upper respiratory tract;
• at high heating temperatures they reduce the biological activity of medicinal substances.

In medical practice, two types of inhalers are usually used: compressor and ultrasonic.

Price policy

Domestic drugs tend to be cheaper. The action is identical. But patients note the presence of side effects, so many still choose expensive drugs from imported manufacturers.

A drug	Minimum price in rubles
Mukolwan	149
Ambrobene	123
Ambroxol	288
Lazolvan	161
Pulmozyme	1480
Fluimucil	119
Ventolin Nebula	276
Salbutamol	50
Astalin	138
Salgim	1284
Berotek	98
Berodual	240
Atrovent	230
Pulmicort	398
Cromohexal	163
Budenit	707
Tafen Nazal	318

The issue of replacing one drug with another should be discussed with a specialist. The shelf life of medicines is 2-3 years from the date of manufacture, the prepared solution is from 30 minutes to 8 hours.

You need to breathe through a nebulizer if syrups, tablets, and mixtures do not give the desired result.

How to perform inhalations

1. Inhalation is carried out no earlier than 1-1.5 hours after a meal or after physical activity.
2. Smoking before and after inhalation is prohibited.
3. It is advisable to gargle with plain water before inhalation.
4. For diseases of the nose and nasopharynx, inhalation and exhalation are done through the nose using nasal cannulas.
5. For diseases of the lower respiratory tract (bronchi, trachea), you need to use a special mouthpiece. During the procedure, you need to take a deep breath, hold your breath for a couple of seconds, and then exhale through your nose.

Recipes for steam inhalations for coughs and runny nose

Steam inhalations for adults

Inhalations based on Validol

For dry coughs, folk healers recommend putting very hot water in a liter:

• Validol (1 tablet only);
• ¼ briquette of pine needle extract;
• chopped garlic (1 medium spoon);
• eucalyptus leaves (2 small spoons).

Breathe over the steam for about 10 minutes.

Sage and other herbs for pregnant women

Pregnant women can also do inhalations; they are a great help in conditions where many medications are prohibited. Herbal remedies come to the rescue. To treat dry cough, it is better to brew:

• St. John's wort;
• chamomile;
• thyme;
• sage;
• marshmallow;
• linden flowers;
• and plantain.

To alleviate the condition and quickly get rid of a wet cough, help:

• lingonberry leaf;
• eucalyptus;
• yarrow;
• coltsfoot;
• series;
• wild rosemary;
• and plantain.

Breathe over the pot of brewed herbs for about 10 minutes.

Folk remedies for inhalation

In addition to the remedies discussed, there are many more folk medicinal products. For example, you can do onion inhalations, breathe over freshly boiled potatoes or hot water with the addition of soda and iodine.

Inhalations with bromhexine

What does bromhexine help with?

Bromhexine is a mucolytic and expectorant drug. The drug is used for bronchitis, pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma. It can be used for both dry and wet coughs. It is advisable to start taking bromhexine in the early stages of the disease to get the best effect.

Cough preparations by group

Is it possible to do inhalations with bromhexine?

According to the instructions, bromhexine is taken orally, and there is no official information that it should be used for inhalation, but sometimes it is used by inhalation at home.

The closest analogue of bromhexine, ambroxol (Ambrobene, Lazolvan, etc.), is sold specifically in the form of a solution for inhalation. In any case, before using this or that drug, be sure to consult a specialist.

Which bromhexine is suitable for inhalation?

As an example, let’s take the form: bromhexine drops 8 mg/ml. Before inhalation, it must be diluted with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio.

If you take another solution of bromhexine, where the dose of the drug is 4 mg per 5 ml, then the total volume for an adult will be 20 ml. Whereas the inhaler chamber usually has a maximum capacity of 5 ml.

Bromhexine solution for inhalation

Dosage for preparing the solution:

• adults: 8 mg, which corresponds to 1 ml of bromhexine drops;
• children over 10 years old: 4 mg;
• children from 6 to 10 years old, 2 mg;
• children under 6 years of age in a dose of up to 2 mg;
• Toddlers should not use this form due to the high concentrations of substances it contains.

Inhalation is carried out twice a day. Course of treatment: 5 days.

How to prepare the solution

Dilute the drug with distilled water (water for injection) in a 1:1 ratio. Then the prepared solution is heated to a temperature of 36-38 degrees, but no more and no less, because high and low temperatures of the solution negatively affect the inflammatory process. At a temperature of 25-28 degrees it is an irritant for the bronchi due to the cold factor. And if the solution is 39-40 degrees, then it has a detrimental effect on the components of the medicine: such a temperature destroys the medicine.

What inhalations can be done when coughing with a nebulizer?

Prospan drops are a natural remedy created on the basis of a unique formula. It is based on the healing properties of dry ivy leaf extract. Thanks to the use of plant components in the development of Prospan drops, and the absence of dyes and preservatives in their composition, they can be recommended not only for adults, but also for children from one year of age.

The undoubted advantage of Prospan drops is their complex effect on the respiratory system. Prospan has expectorant, mucolytic and bronchospasmolytic effects, reduces the viscosity of sputum and promotes its discharge.

Convenient when using drops is that all standard devices and devices for spraying without heating (nebulizers) are suitable here.

It is important to remember that the product contains ethyl alcohol. And in order to eliminate and minimize irritating side effects due to alcohol vapors, when inhaling with Prospan drops, they must be diluted with drinking water at room temperature in a ratio of 1:2.

Indications for nebulizer therapy

Inhalations for dry cough with a nebulizer can be performed for almost all diseases of the upper or lower respiratory system. Indications for the procedure are also diseases of the ENT organs, against which a dry, debilitating cough may also be present. Among the main indications are:

• Bronchitis in acute or chronic form.
• Bronchial obstruction.
• Pneumonia.
• Tonsillitis.
• Laryngitis.
• Viral infections.

Inhalations can also be performed for other diseases, but only a doctor can prescribe a medicinal solution individually for each patient.

Good to know - Tonsilgon for inhalation with a nebulizer: dosages and rules.

When and how the method can help

For colds, inhalations primarily have an expectorant effect. Inhalations are used for dry coughs, when expectoration is difficult and the child is unable to clear his throat properly. The main indicator is the well-being of the little patient. Due to the excessive amount of phlegm, it can only get worse. Typically the amount is 1–4 times a day.