For people with asthma, devices such as a nebuliser or an inhaler are very important things they need to carry at all times. These devices help them take in medication to ease their breathing and help them during an asthma attack.
Today, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know about nebulisers and asthma.
What Is A Nebuliser Machine?
A nebuliser for asthma changes liquid medication to gas or mist so it can be inhaled and reach the lungs faster. Nebulisers help asthma medication turn into tiny particles so it can be more effective when it reaches the lungs.
There are different types of nebulisers for asthma. The most common type of asthma nebuliser is big and is usually placed inside a suitcase. They are mostly used at homes or indoors and need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. However, there are also portable nebulisers that are easier to carry and are highly recommended for travelling — like the E-chamber device at Home Healthcare Online.
Doctors recommend patients diagnosed with asthma use either a nebuliser or an inhaler to take their prescribed medicine. However, most people use nebulisers since they are easier to use and you don’t have to change your breathing when using them.
Types of Nebulisers
There are two different types of nebulisers:
- Ultrasonic - ultrasonic nebulisers use high-frequency vibrations to make an aerosol from the medication.
- Jet - unlike ultrasonic nebulisers, jet nebulisers use compressed gas to make an aerosol. Jet nebulisers are the most commonly used nebulisers because they are cheaper than ultrasonic nebulisers.
How A Nebuliser Works
Nebulisers work by turning liquid medication into gas to help people with respiratory problems ease their breathing. Nebulisers come in four parts:
- Nebuliser chamber (a small plastic container)
- Nebuliser machine (air compressor)
- Air tube
- Mouthpiece
Compressed air is forced through the liquid medicine which turns into a mist. The mist then travels through the air tube to the mouthpiece where the medication can reach a person’s lungs.
What Are Nebulisers Used For?
People use nebulisers to take their prescribed medication easily. People with asthma are mostly the ones who use nebulisers when taking medication. However, some doctors highly recommend people with asthma or COPD use inhalers with spacers instead of nebulisers since they are just as effective and are easier to travel with.
What Asthma Medications Are Used For Nebulisers At Home?
When you have asthma and you’re at home, your doctor will likely recommend you use either of these two medications:
- Salbutamol - this medication is a reliever medicine that helps open up your airways and eases out the inflammation that blocks your air passage. Salbutamol is also the same medicine used in your inhaler. However, your healthcare worker will likely give you a higher dose of salbutamol when using your nebuliser.
- Corticosteroids - this medication is preventive medicine. To prevent patients from experiencing asthma attacks at home, doctors will likely recommend they use corticosteroids with a nebuliser and in higher dosage on a routine basis.
Can You Get Side Effects When Using A Nebuliser?
Side effects after using a nebuliser are pretty normal. However, it is not due to the machine itself, rather it is because of the medication you have just recently inhaled. The higher dosage of salbutamol given to a patient usually causes side effects like slightly shaking muscles or a faster heartbeat. Preventive medicines can cause side effects like a steroid rash around the patient’s mouth or nose. All these side effects are normal but if you experience other side effects, it’s best to let your doctor know.
Nebulisers are machines used to help patients with taking in asthma medication to either relieve asthma pain or prevent it. At Home Healthcare Online, we have our e-chamber device that works as a portable nebuliser to help you ease your asthma wherever you are. Visit our website for more details.
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