The type of inhaler known as a nebulizer sprays medication in a fine aerosol mist through a mask that uses air or oxygen under pressure. (The other type, an ultrasonic machine, is used by those whose breathing problem cannot be treated with a metered-dose inhaler, including those with severe asthma, infants, and some children.) To deliver the medication, plastic tubing is connected from the mouthpiece to the machine.
A handheld nebulizer delivers medications to ensure breathing maintenance, and they are not to be looked upon as a cure. They usually contain corticosteroids, and should be taken on a daily basis exactly as directed. A more potent dose is used to achieve the desired effect in the patient, and some users may find that the mist irritates their nose, mouth, and throat when they have been using the nebulizer for some time. When this happens, a jet nebulizer may prove to be a viable alternative.
The medication found in a handheld nebulizer is intended to loosen mucus in the lungs so that it can be coughed up with less difficulty, and to relax the airway muscles, which will allow air to circulate more freely through the lungs. Administering medication this way is far more effective than taking it orally, and a treatment lasts from 15 to 20 minutes.
Treating a child with a handheld nebulizer
Begin by gathering the supplies you need, including the medication and the nebulizer set, which includes a nebulizer cup, mask or mouthpiece and tubing that connects to the handheld unit. Have your child sit up and engage in some quiet activity during treatment. The nebulizer should be placed on a flat surface, and parents should follow the instructions that accompany the kit to ensure that the treatment will be beneficial.
To absorb the medication, children should be encouraged to take slow, deep breaths through the mouth during treatment until all of the medication has disappeared from the nebulizer cup. If you are asked to keep track of “peak flow measurements,” check this before beginning treatment and after it has ended.
Parents should never leave children unattended during nebulizer treatment, and if they begin to vomit or cough severely, suspend treatment for a few minutes and then continue when they seem calm again. Parents should also check the nebulizer’s filter weekly, replace it when it becomes discolored, and always have at least one nebulizer kit in reserve.
“Administering medication this way is far more effective than taking it orally, and a treatment lasts from 15 to 20 minutes.”
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