In order to overcome a disease such as pneumonia, it is important to initially treat it correctly. The easiest and most affordable way to deliver the drug to the lung tissue is inhalation. At home and in the hospital, a nebulizer is now used for pneumonia. Like any other disease, pneumonia should be treated with the first symptoms.
Indications for use
Inhalation treatment is one of the most effective and painless methods for pneumonia. When it is carried out, small particles of a medicinal substance go directly to the area of ​​inflammation, and the effect occurs instantly. This allows you to significantly reduce the time of treatment of the disease and thoroughly alleviate the patient’s well-being, which contributes to improving the quality of his life.
When inhalation is done for pneumonia with a nebulizer, the effect of medicinal substances occurs only on the respiratory organs. Medicinal substances do not enter the digestive tract and do not act on the stomach and intestines. This prevents unwanted side effects from occurring. Also, drugs are not exposed to the destructive effects of digestive enzymes.
Medicines when administered by inhalation do not cause painful sensations. Therefore, this method of treatment is absolutely safe, there is no age limit for it.
Types of nebulizers
A nebulizer is a device that converts medicines from liquid form to aerosol.
By the principle of operation, devices are divided into types:
- ultrasonic;
- compressor rooms.
The main difference between the two is the spray method.
Ultrasonic nebulizer
Converts drugs into aerosols using ultrasound. Advantage – Produces homogeneous aerosol spray particles. It is silent, therefore it is used to treat small children. Compact and lightweight device, easy to carry. The device can be connected to the car’s cigarette lighter. Disadvantages of ultrasonic atomization:
- not all medications can be used (for example, suspensions);
- heating the solution during inhalation, which can lead to the destruction of the drug structure.
Compressor nebulizer
Easy to use and affordable. By creating pressure in the liquid, the nebulizer converts the drug into an aerosol state. The disadvantage is that it is very noisy. On the other hand, it is versatile. It can be used by children from an early age, the elderly, as well as those with impaired respiratory function. Equipped with masks for children and adults, mouthpiece and silicone tube.
Indications for the use of the nebulizer:
- inability to deliver the drug to the respiratory organs in any other way;
- the need for drug delivery to the alveoli;
- difficulty holding your breath for more than 4 seconds;
- violation of consciousness;
- the need to use a large dose of medication.
Contraindications
It is harmless to use a nebulizer for pneumonia. But you also need to be aware of situations when it is unsafe to use this device.
The most common ones are:
- cannot be used at elevated temperatures (from 37.5 degrees);
- nose bleed;
- allergic reactions;
- the presence of pus and blood in the sputum;
- short period after suffering a stroke or heart attack;
- atherosclerosis;
- hypertension 3 degrees;
- complicated form of pneumonia and shortness of breath;
- recurrent pneumothorax;
- pulmonary edema;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- individual intolerance to the inhalation form of the drug.
If inhalation is given to a child, it is very important that his condition is calm. If the child is nervous, it is better to postpone the inhalation procedure.
Inhalation medications
For inhalation with pneumonia, many drugs are used. Their purpose depends on the type of inhaler and the characteristics of the course of the disease. It is important not to forget that when choosing a medicine, a medical consultation and a clearly prescribed dosage are required. It is impossible to change the dosage of the drug or increase the concentration of the solution. Self-treatment is dangerous.
The most common types of medicines are:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs – stop the inflammation process. How often, what dosage to use – all this is prescribed by the therapist. This group includes budesonide and antibiotics.
- Bronchodilator drugs – relieve bronchospasm, improve ventilation function. Usually, solutions of Salbutamol, Fenoterol, Ipratropium bromide are prescribed. Before inhalation, they are diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
- Expectorants – help to thin the phlegm, which improves its output. Apply Lazolvan, Ambrobene, mineral water without gas with a small amount of minerals.
It is imperative to remember that children under two years of age are prescribed medication to thin sputum only by a doctor. This is due to the fact that the cough reflex has not yet been fully formed in children under two years of age.
An effective method in the treatment of pneumonia is inhalation with saline. It has an antiseptic effect and accelerates the process of cleansing the lungs from phlegm.
Application
For inhalation with pneumonia, it is more expedient to use a nozzle in the form of a mouthpiece, because in the mask part of the drug goes into the nasal cavity and settles on the face in the form of steam.
In order for inhalations using a nebulizer to be effective, you must adhere to certain rules:
- Inhalation time is no more than 8-12 minutes for adults and 2-4 minutes for children (the time of inhalation depends on the severity of the disease).
- The number of procedures per day is from one to three.
- The course of treatment is no more than seven days.
- When inhaling, it is important to breathe correctly and calmly. Breathing in and out the vapor is done through the mouth. Between inhalation and exhalation, you must hold your breath for about 5 seconds.
- The time interval between food intake and inhalation should be about 2 hours.
- During the procedure, you should not be distracted (for example, watching TV, reading a book).
- The patient should be dressed in light and loose clothing that does not constrict the throat and does not impede breathing.
- Inhalation must be done while sitting.
- In no case should you breathe over boiling water so as not to get burned!
- After inhalation, it is important to refrain from physical activity, talking, and not going outside for 40-60 minutes.
- If possible, lie down for 20 minutes.
- Residual solutions cannot be stored until the next procedure, they must be discarded.
- After each procedure, all parts of the nebulizer must be thoroughly rinsed and treated with an antiseptic (for example, Chlorhexidine or Miramistin solution).
A pneumonia nebulizer is one of the effective treatments for pneumonia with positive results. Suitable for adults and children, the elderly and babies. This is a painless physiotherapy procedure while maintaining the medicinal properties of the medicinal product. The nebulizer is convenient for treating pneumonia in hospital and at home. But do not forget about consulting a doctor before the procedure and strictly adhere to his recommendations.