Nebulizing Medicine - For lungs, bronchial tract, sinuses, throat / IV alternative
What does it mean to nebulize medicine ?
Nebulizing Medicine - For
lungs, bronchial tract, sinuses, throat / IV alternative
What does it mean to nebulize medicine ?
A nebulizer facilitates a fast and
effective absorption of medicine -
This is achieved by breaking down the liquid medicine into very fine particles,
which are then inhaled by the patient through a mouthpiece or face mask..
What are the benefits of using a nebulizer?
Medicine applied through a nebulizer is ideal for
direct contact treatment the medicine and moisture is nebulized directly onto these tissues,
where it is locally absorbed by tissue cells.
This method of delivery to the tracheobronchial
tree, also very effectively delivers medicine into the blood stream and thus systemically into the
rest of the body. Almost as effective as an IV, it reaches the blood stream via the rich network of blood vessels in the
lungs.
Nebulization by-passes the stomach and liver -
enabling a large percentage of the active ingredient to reach target
tissues.
Particularly used to treat asthma, lung cancer,
emphysema, respiratory infections (E.g. pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza), chemical poisoning -
and actually can systemically treat any
problem requiring the administration of a medicinal.
Thins and moistens secretions:
Thins secretions and mucus making it
easier to expel pulmonary secretions
Makes coughing easier while lessening the
need to cough
Keeps your windpipe & trachea lining and
stoma moist & healthy
Moistens the air that goes into your lungs
Hydrates & moisturizes your nasal
passages, mouth and throat
Alternative medicines administered via a nebulizer
Using a nebulizer, alternative medicines can be
administered directly into the lungs for many difficult-to-treat conditions -
pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and
pulmonologists positively exploring this
form of therapy at
the Ohio State
University Medical Center, are calling this "Off-label nebulization".
Which type of nebulizer to use?
Several devices are available to create the drug
aerosol particles - including jet nebulizers, ultrasonic nebulizers, metered-dose
inhalers, and dry powder inhalers, through which particles can reach the upper
and lower respiratory tracts and be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Studies show that the device used really doesn't matter, as long as it's used
properly.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/inhaler_nebulizer.html
Aerosolized drugs have several advantages - including:
Frequently a more
convenient method of drug delivery
Especially helpful to treat infants, children and
intensive care patients - who are generally
unable to swallow pills;
Quick onset of
action
Low incidence of systemic
adverse effects - Side effects wear
off quickly but can include racing pulse, tremors, nausea and insomnia.
Nebulizer asthma treatments can also raise blood pressure and aggravate
glaucoma.
Typically does not
cause pain to the patient
