How to choose a nebulizer

When choosing an inhaler, we need in the beginning to know the answers to three main questions:

What is being treated?

Who is being treated: an adult or a child?

Which medication was prescribed by the doctor?

So, what is being treated?

Nebulizers are most effective in the treatment of diseases of the lower respiratory tract: laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, as they allow to obtain the size of the particles of the drug that will penetrate these parts of the respiratory tract.

If you are treating rhinitis or pharyngitis, then the best solution is a steam inhaler (for example, VEGASI-01).

At the heart of the principle of the nebulizer is the finely dispersed spray of the drug, which is then delivered to the patient through an air tube, mask or nozzle.

Details of the size of the drug particles:

Particles with a size greater than 10 μm are deposited in the oropharynx;

Particles with a size of 5 to 10 μm are deposited in the larynx and trachea;

Particles with a size of 2 to 4 microns are deposited in the lower respiratory tract;

And, finally, particles with a size of 0.5 to 2 μm are deposited in the alveoli.

Conclusion: The most effective nebulizer therapy for the treatment of laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis will be provided by nebulizers with a particle size of 5-4 μm, and in the case of pneumonia, asthma, 0.5-2 μm.

One more thing.

With asthma in nebulizers, bronchodilators, mucolytics, and hormones can also be used.

Which nebulizer to choose in this case?

Keep in mind the following: even if today the patient is prescribed bronchodilator, then perhaps tomorrow he will need a hormonal drug. So, it is better to choose either a compressor or a Mesh nebulizer, since they do not destroy the active substance of the hormonal drug, in contrast to the ultrasonic.

Mesh is a unique technology of "sifting" particles of a drug through a special mesh-membrane, which allowed to combine all the advantages of compressor and ultrasound nebulizers. They are compact and noiseless (ideal for the child). They have no restrictions on the use of drugs. Mesh-nebulizers are necessary for asthmatics, since they will help to stop an asthma attack at any moment.

The second question: for whom do you buy an inhaler: for a child or an adult?

It is not always possible to get a child to sit quietly for 10-15 minutes. Therefore, manufacturers come up with inhaler shapes in the form of cute little animals, make a cheerful design, add a "lego" designer that can be collected on a nebulizer during inhalation.

Examples of such models: VEGA CN03D "Fanny Constructor", VEGA "Samy"

Of course, with the help of these nebulizers, adults can also be treated.

How old is the child?

Unfortunately, very little crumbs also suffer from bronchitis. Therefore, the optimal in this case will be an inhaler that has in its kit an exclusive attachment - a pacifier for babies.

Third question: What drug for inhalations has a doctor appointed you?

If the doctor recommended inhalations to use decoctions of herbs or something like eucalyptus oil, it becomes clear that a steam inhaler is needed here.

If the doctor recommended antibiotics for inhalations (ultrasonic nebulizers destroy them), a compressor inhaler is needed here.

If a person suffers from bronchial asthma and the doctor recommended hormonal preparations for inhalations, a compact version of a mesh-nebulizer, which can work with batteries, is most likely required.