Asthma Respirators

Inhalers are the most common way to get asthma medication into your airways. Not everybody can use an inhaler, however, because they need some coordination between pressing the inhaler and breathing in. Infants and young children or people who are sick and cannot coordinate these two thing well may not be able to use an inhaler effectively.

For those who can't use an inhaler, an asthma respirator - or nebulizer - is an alternative. Asthma respirators are devices that change liquid medication into a fine mist that is then breathed in via a face mask.

A nebulizer generally has an air compressor, a nebulizer cup and a mouthpiece connected via a length of tube. Sometimes the air compressor is replaced by sonic waves, however the basic principle is the same.

The respirator will deliver a bronchodilator such as Proventil or Atrovent direct to the lungs, in an easier to manage process. Obviously, if a respirator is necessary it will need to be prescribe by a doctor, and they will give you the necessary instructions for using it.

In most cases the medication being delivered is in a liquid form which is measured into the nebulizer cup. The cup is then sealed and the air compressor activated. This will start the fine mist coming from the mouthpiece or face mask.

An asthma respirator treatment generally lasts for 7 to 10 minutes. Many of the people who use a respirator find that this is a relaxing time for them, a bit of a forced break. Other people find the process frustrating. If this is the case, they may need to discuss alternative options with their doctor.

Respirators need proper care, cleaning and maintenance. The nebulizer cup needs to be cleaned after each use and along with the mouthpiece or face mask, should be washed daily.

Taking care of your respirator will help to both avoid infection and keep the treatments working effectively.