Looking for a New Nebulizer? (Here are some things to keep in mind when making a choice)

Non-Portable Nebulizers are relatively large nebulizer units intended for home use. These are a great choice for those who do not travel, small children who cannot use metered dose inhalers, or who use inhalers on-the-go. While the Non-Portable Nebulizer can still be taken with you when you travel, they are not the ideal choice. These units can prove cumbersome because they are larger and finding a power source can be troublesome because they require A/C power exclusively. Most non portable compressors function similarly and vary only by manufacturer and design. A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Portable Nebulizer Compressors are best characterized by their small size and portable design. These are made ideally for the more active on-the-go user who may prefer using nebulizers rather than inhalers. These nebulizers are battery-operated for your convenience in any situation. This is important because it is often necessary for parents with small, young children to give a treatment while traveling. The size of the portable nebulizers allows it to be easily carried in backpacks, diaper bags and brief cases. A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Standard Jet Nebulizers are the most common type of nebulizer. This nebulizer uses air pressure to turn medication into mist that is then inhaled through a face mask or mouthpiece. A small pump connected to the nebulizer cup provides airflow to the patient. A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Ultrasonic Nebulizers are similar to the Standard Jet Nebulizer but produce a more uniform particle size than compressor type nebulizers. The more uniform particle size allows the aerosol to penetrate more deeply into the lungs. A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.  

Spacers for Metered Dose Inhalers increase the space between the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and the mouth. Spacers help the patient inhale more medication into the lungs. It also decreases the amount of medicine deposited on the back of the throat. A spacer is recommended for all patients who use an MDI, and is especially needed for patients who have difficulty coordinating their breathing while slowly depressing the inhaler at the same time. 

A physician’s prescription is needed to purchase this equipment.

Prepare for Out Door Activities with Your Asthmatic Child Carefully...

Because their life might just depend on it

According to studies conducted by the General Practice Airways Group, 74% of patients admitted to the hospital for asthma attacks could have been prevented with a nebulizer treatment. Statistics show that up to 90% of reported deaths may have been prevented if treated with nebulizer medication promptly.

The fact is that nebulizers and portable nebulizers CAN SAVE your child’s life!

As any parent or guardian of a child with asthma knows, an asthma attack can occur suddenly at anytime and in any place. This is important to consider during the summer months when air quality may be poor and your family may be involved in outdoor activities or on vacation.

First and foremost, become aware of the warning signs of an asthma attack. This is particularly important for those caring for infants or small children as small children are unlikely to be able to communicate effectively that they are having an asthma attack.

If you are caring for someone with asthma, it is necessary to keep in mind the most obvious signs of respiratory distress which are wheezing and coughing. Even more important is to pay close attention to the frequency and circumstances in which they occur. How often is he/she coughing or wheezing? Is it interfering with play? After coughing or wheezing, has your child suddenly become quiet and listless?  Look at their skin color. Are they unusually pale, or are their lips blue? All of these are danger signs that an attack is occurring and strongly indicates a nebulizer treatment is needed immediately.

Asthma is termed the ‘Reactive Airway Disease’ because it is the lung’s reaction to something taken in from the environment.   Environmental triggers such as dust, pollen or exercise irritate the lungs. The disease becomes active as the lungs take in the particles. The lungs become irritated from the environmental trigger and a great deal of mucus is produced in the airways. Coughing is the body’s response to this mucus and, therefore, is the first sign of an attack. As the airways narrow and constrict from mucus building up faster than the child can clear it, less oxygen is delivered throughout the body. As oxygen is depleted, the skin may become blue and the child becomes short of breath. This is the etiology of an asthma attack.

Portable nebulizer treatments are the answer to the asthma attack for families with young children on-the-go. Fortunately, there is a great variety of high quality portable nebulizers that are easy to bring with you. They are ready for travel as they can be powered either by light-weight internal or external batteries, or by using a cigarette lighter adapter. You can travel without hassle and without fear of needing a nebulizer treatment.

When you need nebulizers, they are there and ready to do their job. Nebulizers work by delivering medication directly to the lungs. The treatment is administered simply by breathing in the mist until the nebulizer medication is completely gone (typical treatments last 3 to five minutes).

The science of nebulizers is a marvel of modern medicine. The nebulizers are amazing in their concise effectiveness, as they deliver aerosol particles the exact size needed to reach the smallest airways in need. Particles that are too small to be useful just float out of the lungs ineffectual and harmless while those that are too large simply hit the back of the throat.

Nebulizers save lives.