Nebulizers are an essential part of the treatment of many respiratory conditions that require prescription drugs in the form of suspended solutions
. These drugs include bronchodilators, corticosteroids and antibiotics.
For this type of drug use of nebulizers is the only way of administering the medicine to the patient. Nebulizers atomise the liquid drug into a very fine mist that is then inhaled deep into the patients lungs. Professional quality nebulizers minimise drug waste and ensure that the patients medication is delivered in a controlled and effective manner.
Nebulizers are available as home base machines (usually operated via mains electricity) or portable machines (battery operated) that can be used anywhere.
There are two types of Nebulizers.
1. Compressor nebulizer is the industry standard. The suspended drug is put into a small chamber. Compressed air is then forced through a venturi tube within this chamber. This produces a very fine mist which is then inhaled either through a face mask our mouthpiece (or occasionally a nasal tube). A good quality compressor nebulizer is highly reliable and efficient.
2. Ultrasonic nebulizer this is a more modern alternative. Ultrasonic nebulizers work by sending high frequency vibrations through the suspended medication turning it into a very fine mist. Theoretically the particles generated by an ultrasonic nebulizer will be consistently smaller than those produced by a compressor nebuliser and an ultrasonic nebulizer will dispense the same volume of drug faster than a compressor nebulizer. However they are not as reliable and cannot always be used for the full range of nebulizer medications
Where do I buy my nebulizer?
Occasionally a patients nebulizer is provided free by his / her local hospital or GP. However the majority of patients are required to purchase their own machine. A patient can purchase a nebulizer from some health centres and pharmacies but more commonly through companies that specialise in home healthcare.