Nebulizers are widely used as an inhaled medication for treating lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma and other respiratory illnesses. These small devices turn liquid medicine into a mist, so that the person can inhale the medicine through a facemask or mouthpiece. Nebulizers are very effective in providing medication to infants, children, adult patients and anyone who cannot use inhalers with spacers. They can be used to deliver short-acting (rescue) as well as long-acting (controllers) medications. The medicine used in the nebulizer is prescribed by the doctor, depending on the existing medical condition.  

If you are using a nebulizer at home for the first time, here are a few things that you must keep in mind:

1- Always read the nebulizer manual and follow all the instructions written on it. If you are an asthma patient, it is advised that you seek guidance from your doctor on how to use the nebulizer. 


2-Make sure that the nebulizer is always clean so that it does not get infected.


3- Before using the device, wash your hand properly with an anti-microbial soap or an alcohol based sanitizer, with alcohol content more than 60 percent.    


4-Do make sure that all the accessories that come with the nebulizer, such as the nebulizer mask, are also dry and clean. 


5- You must also keep in mind that the nebulization must be done in a well-ventilated space so that the aerosol can disperse easily and not settle. 


6- Remember that the mist/aerosol should not dissipate to other rooms of the house, exposing other family members to it. To ensure that, keep the door of the room closed while performing nebulization.


7- One nebulizer should not be shared by any other member of the house. 


8- Also, avoid using the air-conditioner in the room at the time of nebulization.

Procedure


 You must also know the correct way of using the nebulizer. Carefully connect the tube of the nebulizer to the compressor as well as the medication cup. Then measure the right amount of medicine that is to be transferred in the medication cup. Note that the volume of the medicine should not be less than 2ml. However, the dose for every session should be as per prescribed by the doctor. Attach the mouthpiece to the cup, turn on the nebulizer and check if it is misting. Make sure that the mouth is close to the mouthpiece throughput the process. Breath slowly till there is no mist generation. It usually takes 8-10 minutes for the entire nebulization process to complete.

For best results, it is advised that you buy only a quality nebulizer. You can purchase it from reputed online places like Smart Medical Buyer that offer excellent quality medical supplies and equipment, ranging from gloves and thermometers to finger pulse oximeter and stethoscopes.

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