When and How to Use a Mesh Nebulizer

Asthma patients need to inhale medicines to control and treat asthma attacks. You need a metered-dose inhaler for this. Many doctors also prescribe mesh nebulizer. Some patients cannot use inhalers correctly. A mesh nebulizer is an easy-to-use alternative for such patients. There is no need to coordinate the treatment and breathing. However, it is important for you to know when and how to use a nebulizer for asthma treatment. 

When to Use a Mesh Nebulizer 

Some asthma patients don’t find inhalers very effective. This is the reason why doctors recommend nebulizers. It is a device that turns liquid medicine into an inhalable mist. A nebulizer has a mouthpiece to inhale asthma medicine. The mist directly enters your lungs and the medicine does its job.

The best portable mesh nebulizer makes it easy to control or maintain asthma medicine. Inhaling corticosteroids is the most common way of long-term control medicine. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory properties. Corticosteroid is actually a class of drugs. Asthma patients put a drug of this class in a nebulizer. Cromolyn sodium (Intal) is another option for your nebulizer. Your body produces certain substances involved in inflammation. Cromolyn prevents the release of these substances. You need to use this medicine two times a day.

A mesh nebulizer is also used to provide quick relief. It delivers medicines for asthma attacks. Another option for rescue medicines is short-acting beta-agonists. You need to create an asthma action plan to use mesh nebulizer for asthma. Your doctor will tell when to use medicine for a quick-relief or rescue. Keep in mind that rescue medicine does not help sometimes. So, create your asthma action plan accordingly. 

How to use a Mesh Nebulizer

You need to follow a procedure to use a nebulizer. There are three components of a nebulizer including: 

• Mouthpiece and medicine cup 
• Air tubing 
• Compressor 

Take the following steps to use a mesh nebulizer: 

• Some nebulizers require an electrical outlet while others use batteries. Find a suitable stable surface to place your portable mesh nebulizer.     
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds using warm water and soap. 
• Connect air tubing to the compressor. 
• Remove and fill the medicine cup with medicine. 
• Reattach the mouthpiece and the medicine cup. 
• Attach the air tubing to the medicine cup at the bottom. 
• Make sure that the nebulizer is fully powered. Turning on the compressor will send mist out of the mouthpiece. If you are using a nebulizer with a finger valve, cover the valve to create the mist. 
• Put the mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips to make a seal.  
• Take normal, even breathe through your mouth.   
• Make sure that the medicine cup is upright. Sit upright. This is important to ensure that you get complete medicine delivery. There are special masks available for children suffering from this disease. Typically it is a 10 to 15 minutes long treatment. The nebulizer stops producing the mist. 
• Turn off the nebulizer and remove the mouthpiece and the medicine cup. Use warm, soapy water to wash the mouthpiece and medicine cup. Air dry all the components. 

Not all nebulizers are the same. Instructions for use and cleaning vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Let your doctor recommend the right nebulizer for you. If you want to buy mesh nebulizer for children, don’t forget to buy a mask as well.