How Does a Nebulizer Work?

Nebulizers are medical breathing machines which help to treat respiratory illnesses such as asthma. They turn liquid medicine into a vapour so that it can be inhaled directly into the lungs.

How Does It Work?

If you have never seen nebulisers before you might be wondering how these devices work. Nebulisers are not drugs or medication, rather they are a machine designed to administer medications. The machine is connected with tubes to a source of compressed air. This will cause oxygen and air to blast through a liquid medicine at a very high velocity. The medicine is airbo
e within the air and oxygen, making it much easier to breathe in.

In order to use nebulisers, the first step is to input the liquid medicine into the device and then connect it to the air compressor. When you turn the compressor on the air will reach the nebulizer cup and the medicine will be vaporized. The patient then takes deep breaths and inhales the vapour. It usually takes around 10-20 minutes for the medicine to be completely inhaled.

What are They For?

Nebulizers help to administer medicine for problems such as asthma. They are also used for other diseases such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary dysplasia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nebulisers are often used for infants or very old people and they administer medications such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics and prostanoids.

By inhaling the treatment directly into the lungs the result of the medicine is faster. Also, the necessary dosage of medicine is reduced because a smaller amount provides the same result that a larger dose would have if it was administered by swallowing in pill form. Nebulisers can be used at home by those who need care in their own homes.

What Are the Different Kinds of Nebulizers?

There are two different types of nebulizers, the ultrasonic and the compressor style. Compressor nebulisers use compressed air to create the mist which carries the medication. The Ultrasonic style of nebulisers use high frequency vibrations to create the mist. The basic function of both types of nebulizers are the same, turning the medicine which starts in liquid form into fine airbo
e particles which are easy to inhale and absorb into the lungs.

There are also travel-style nebulizers which can be taken with you anywhere in the world and used via an a/c adaptor, a rechargeable lithium battery or even a car cigarette lighter socket. This type of nebulizer is very convenient because you can use it anywhere that you need it.

Nebulisers are a very useful tool in treating respiratory illnesses and they are used in many different ways. There are many different types available depending on your particular medical needs.