Products
Nebulisers, Wheeze Detector and Oximeter
Why should I use a nebuliser?
Efficient treatment of respiratory conditions
Helps to relieve respiratory symptoms
Can be used by all ages
What are the types of nebulisers?
Inhalation devices, often called nebulisers, are available in various different technical designs.
Mechanically speaking, they mix droplets of the medication’s active ingredient with the air. The fine mist resulting in the nebuliser can be inhaled through a mouthpiece, mask or nosepiece. A major advantage is that there is no need for particular coordination between the operation of the nebuliser and the breathing technique. That is why nebulisers are especially recommended for children and elderly people.
Nozzle, mesh and ultrasonic nebulisers
Nebulisers can be divided into three types according to their functional principle: Nozzle (compressor), membrane and ultrasonic nebulisers.
- The nozzle nebuliser works by means of a compressor that generates compressed air. The air flows through the medicine solution and atomises it into tiny droplets.
- Ultrasonic nebulisers use a piezo-electric vibrator that generates high frequency vibrations (2-3 millions/ sec). the vibrations are transferred through the water tank to the medication (water serves as a cooling agent). The strong vibrations generate a column of liquid medication and small particles are produced.
- Mesh nebulisers are made up of a thin membrane which contains microscopic holes. A vibrating element pushes the medication through the fine holes of the membrane. This generates an aerosol of small droplets. These nebulisers are also very quiet and lightweight, making them good for use when travelling and for children.
How to inhale correctly when using a nebuliser
A step-by-step guide to using the nebuliser:
- Wash your hands.
- Ensure that the nebuliser has been cleaned correctly since the last time it was used.
- Connect the tube to the device (not applicable for a mesh nebuliser).
- Fill the medicine reservoir with the medication you have been prescribed.
- Connect the tubing and mouthpiece to the medicine reservoir.
- Insert the mouthpiece into your mouth. Hold the mouthpiece firmly with your lips closed around it so that all of the active ingredient is able to reach your lungs.
- Switch the nebuliser on.
- Breathe through the mouth until all of the medication has been administered. This will take 10 to 15 minutes. If necessary, you can use a nose clip to ensure that you only breathe through your mouth.
- For young children, a mask can be used instead of the mouthpiece. It is necessary to ensure that the mask is fitted very accurately as otherwise much of the medication can be lost and the inhalation is not effective.
- Switch the nebuliser off.
- Clean the medicine reservoir and the mouthpiece/mask according to the cleaning and disinfecting instructions in the manual which comes with the product.
There is a wide range of different nebulisers and inhalers on the market which means it is sometimes hard for those affected to see the wood for the trees. Here is a brief guide to help you better classify these inhalation devices.
Inhalers and nebulisers are used for two different types of inhalation.
Inhalers are used for dry inhalation. With this type of inhalation, the active ingredient is inhaled as a powder/air mixture.
The advantage of this type of inhalation is that the administered dose is always determined very accurately.
The disadvantage of inhalers is that you need to coordinate your inhalation precisely with when the puffs are triggered to ensure the correct application. That is why inhalers are less suitable for babies and young children.
Dry inhalation is mostly used during an asthma treatment for administering bronchodilating and anti-inflammatory active ingredients.
Emergency relief medications for asthma and other chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, often used during an asthma attack, also come in inhalers.
Nebulisers are used for wet nebulisation. The inhalable aerosol can be produced using a variety of techniques.
Depending on the technology, a distinction is made between ultrasonic, compressed air (or compressor) or mesh nebulisers. The active ingredient is inhaled in tiny droplets. The size of the droplets can be accurately determined to optimally reach either the upper, middle or lower respiratory tract.
Therefore, nebulisers are suitable for a wide range of respiratory tract diseases.
It is advantageous that nebulisers do not require any special breathing technique, as they also can be inhaled using a mask. That is why nebulisers are particularly suitable for young children and babies.
The disadvantage of this method is that it takes a lot longer for the same amount of active ingredient to be administered.
Almond, S. How do children with asthma inhale properly? Retrieved from https://www.kinder-asthma.com/wie-inhalieren-kinder-mit-asthma-richtig/
Richtig Inhalieren (2018). Types of inhalers with explanation of how it works. Retrieved from https://www.richtig-inhalieren.de/ratgeber-inhalieren/arten-von-inhalatoren-mit-erklaerung-funktionsweise/
Disclaimer - 2
This content has been reviewed and approved by a Omron Healthcare Europe cross-functional team to ensure that the provided information is accurate. Approval Code: OHEAPP-355