Nebulizers Can Be Used for More Than Just Asthma or Emphysema

Our bodies are made of a series of interconnected organs and parts that make up a series of systems that help our bodies run like well tuned machines. One of the most important systems that we rely on to get through life is the respiratory system. The organs that help this system run work together to take oxygen that we breathe in and help it get into the blood and then is utilized by the rest of our body. The importance of oxygen in our bodies is. obvious however there are many ways for your respiratory system to be disrupted. Luckily, for those who suffer respiratory related ailments there are many treatment solutions out there, and affordable equipment available that help sufferers stay healthy and comfortable.

The most common and easy to use kinds of respiratory equipment on the market are nebulizers. A nebulizer comes in many different forms from pocket sized personal use nebulizers to jet nebulizers that have to be stored somewhere in a room. Nebulizers take compressed air and mix it with a prescribed medication to allow it to be breathed in as a gas. It is a mixture of gas and liquid that can be easily absorbed as you breathe it in. This allows for the medication to be sent directly into the lungs, offering almost instant relief.

The most common reason to use a nebulizer is to treat chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions are usually treatable with a combination of treatments as well as oxygen therapy, all of which is possible through the use of a nebulizer. Asthma and acute bronchitis are commonly treated with nebulizers but these are just the tip of the iceberg. Just about any respiratory related problem a person typically has can be treated with a nebulizer.

Other respiratory equipment that is often used for respiratory conditions are an MDI, spacers or a compressor. A meter dose inhaler, or MDI, is probably the cheapest and the most convenient type of inhaler that is sold. While it is not used to treat many respiratory conditions it is still the most efficient one out there if you are a candidate, and available for a very affordable price. Spacers come in several varieties with the most popular one being the Aerochamber. Aerochamber’s are used in conjunction with other devices such as an MDI. Spacers maintain the aerosol content, eliminating the need for any real coordination when administering the medication, and controls the amount of aerosol delivered.

Compressors are a step up from an MDI and are only slightly more expensive. Compressors come in many different sizes and typically put out at least 8 to 9 liters a minute and the larger ones can put out much more and actually fill a room. Compressors are primarily used to fill a nebulizer or release the treatment into the air of the room.

Top quality respiratory equipment is essential when it comes to the care of yourself, your loved ones or your patients. Whether it’s portable or home use oxygen, nebulizers or CPAP equipment and supplies, you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to treating respiratory conditions.

About The Author:
Bob Nielsen is co-owner of RoSa Medical Supply an online retail store. His website offers some of the best high quality Durable Home Medical Equipment on the internet for your everyday home health care needs on a fixed budget. His products are always at cheap discount prices because he is an authorized online reseller of numerous major brand name manufacturers, thus cutting out the middle-man and passing the savings on to you. When you visit his respiratory page you can be assured of receiving FAST shipping direct to your door as well as 100% SAFE secure checkout.

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Source: http://www.rosasupply.com/2012/08/nebulizers-can-be-used-for-more-than-just-asthma-or-emphysema/

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Asthma & Allergy Specialists in Durham, North Carolina to Treat Allergies, Asthma, and More

Allergy Basics

What Is an Allergy?

Allergies are an abnormal response of the immune system. People who have allergies have an immune system that reacts to a usually harmless substance in the environment. This substance (pollen, mold, and animal dander, for example) is called an allergen.

Allergies are a very common problem, affecting at least two out of every 10 Americans.

What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?

First, a person is exposed to an allergen by inhaling it, swallowing it, or getting it on or under their skin. After a person is exposed to the allergen, a series of events create the allergic reaction:

1. The body starts to produce a specific type of antibody, called IgE, to bind the allergen.



2. The antibodies attach to a form of blood cell called a mast cell. Mast cells can be found in the airways, in the intestines, and elsewhere. The presence of mast cells in the airways and GI tract makes these areas more susceptible to allergen exposure.



3. The allergens bind to the IgE, which is attached to the mast cell. This causes the mast cells to release a variety of chemicals into the blood. Histamine, the main chemical, causes most of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes with increased production of sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common asthma symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially at night



• Wheezing



• Shortness of breath



• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

Still, not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your asthma symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for extended periods without having any symptoms, interrupted by periodic worsening of their symptoms called asthma attacks. Others might have asthma symptoms every day. In addition, some people may only have asthma during exercise or asthma with viral infections like colds.

Mild asthma attacks are generally more common. Usually, the airways open up within a few minutes to a few hours. Severe attacks are less common but last longer and require immediate medical help. It is important to recognize and treat even mild asthma symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control. 

Know the Early Symptoms of Asthma

Early warning signs are changes that happen just before or at the very beginning of an asthma attack. These signs may start before the well-known symptoms of asthma and are the earliest signs that your asthma is worsening.

In general, these signs are not severe enough to stop you from going about your daily activities. But by recognizing these signs, you can stop an asthma attack or prevent one from getting worse. Early warning signs of asthma include:

• Frequent cough, especially at night



• Losing your breath easily or shortness of breath



• Feeling very tired or weak when exercising



• Wheezing or coughing after exercise



• Feeling tired, easily upset, grouchy, or moody



• Decreases or changes in lung function as measured on a peak flow meter



• Signs of a cold or allergies (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, and headache)



• Trouble sleeping

If you have early warning signs or symptoms of asthma, you should take more asthma medication as described in your asthma action plan.