How to breathe correctly with an inhaler when coughing through your mouth or nose

How to breathe correctly with an inhaler: through the nose or mouth, there is no clear answer. The procedure is carried out using special attachments - masks, mouthpieces, cannulas. It is allowed to breathe the medicine through the nose and mouth, but in some situations a specific method is recommended to increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

Indications for inhalation

Home inhalers are becoming increasingly popular. By purchasing this device, you can forget about visiting the clinic and carry out the procedure at home. Modern models are presented on the market in the following forms:

• Pocket inhaler. It is a compact, pressurized container containing a specific medicinal substance. Used for serious respiratory diseases, such as bronchial asthma.
• Compressor. The most popular type of device that converts medications into an aerosol. Very easy to operate.
• Ultrasonic. Equipped with an ultrasonic generator, it operates in silent mode, spraying a large volume of medication.

Most patients prefer compressor nebulizers, which are easy to use and affordable.

Using these devices, various pathologies of the ENT system are treated:

• bronchial asthma;
• inflammation of the bronchi;
• pneumonia;
• acute respiratory infections;
• tracheitis;
• pharyngitis;
• laryngitis;
• allergic reactions;
• chronic rhinitis.

Inhaling sprayed steam through a nebulizer allows the medicine to penetrate deep into the respiratory tract, which helps to better liquefy mucus, eliminate a runny nose, and relieve inflammation..

It is recommended to purchase a nebulizer for families with small children: they are more often susceptible to colds. That is why it is important to know how to do inhalations correctly, the frequency of sessions, and also what you can and cannot refill the device with.

Criteria by which nebulizers are selected

The deeper the inhaled medication particles can penetrate the respiratory tract, the smaller the particles they will be broken down into. This is what determines the effectiveness of the device. Most nebulizers have a similar atomization rate of about 5 microns. This size allows the medicinal particles to have a good therapeutic effect on the upper respiratory tract, bronchi, and trachea.

There are several modes of supplying steam to the mask or mouthpiece of the inhaler:

• continuous – the least effective. When an aerosol is constantly supplied, regardless of whether the patient is breathing it or not, most of the drug is simply lost;
• with manual control - the aerosol supply process also takes place continuously, with the difference that the person himself can turn off the steam supply by pressing a button. This allows you to avoid wasting the solution, but only an adult can cover it; a child cannot do this himself;
• automatic – forms a vapor cloud only at the moment of inhalation and cuts off its supply during exhalation. This happens thanks to special sensors, which minimizes medication consumption.

Bowl volume

Each type of nebulizer has its own bowl volume, which is an important selection criterion. The norm for ultrasound is 50-70 ml. In some cases, this volume may simply not be enough.

Compressor units have a volume of at least 100 ml, as these are powerful devices.

In electronic mesh inhalers, the bowl volume usually does not exceed 15 ml. But even this is enough for several full inhalations, due to the fact that there is no consumption of drugs.

Spray speed

The higher the speed of spraying the medicine for a nebulizer when coughing, the faster it will reach the respiratory organs, which in turn will speed up the procedure and the therapeutic effect of the medicine. For children, it is better to choose a more powerful device to reduce the time to a minimum. For adults this won't make much difference.

As for the noise level, the quieter the nebulizer is, the more comfortable the procedure will be.

Preparation for the procedure

Before using the inhaler for the first time, you must carefully read the instructions: this will help to avoid accidental damage to the device.

Preparation for the treatment process includes the following steps:

• First of all, before performing a physical procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly.
• The inhaler is assembled, the adapter is connected to the power supply or batteries are inserted.
• The mask or attachments are treated with a disinfectant, such as hydrogen peroxide, or boiled for 5 minutes.
• The next stage is the preparation of the medicine prescribed by the attending physician. Some drugs need to be diluted with saline, others are used in their pure form. A specialist will advise you on the required proportions and dosages.
• First, sodium chloride is poured into the device compartment with a sterile syringe, and only then the medicine is added.
• The container is screwed tightly and attached to the tube, after which a mask or nozzle for the nose and mouth is put on the face.
• The session is carried out in a comfortable sitting position, with normal breathing.

The tactics of therapy, the duration of the course and the frequency of treatment sessions are determined by the doctor. It is prohibited to interrupt treatment or change dosages on your own.

There are general rules for inhalation that every patient must adhere to:

• inhalation therapy is not administered immediately after meals and physical activity. The optimal time is after an hour and a half;
• You should not smoke before or after the session for an hour;
• The process should not be carried out standing or lying down. The patient sits on a chair, placing the device on the table in front of him;
• It is forbidden to talk during the procedure;
• the medicinal substance for inhalation should be used immediately after preparation. Only freshly prepared solutions are poured into the device. The exception is some drugs that can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours;
• You should always check the expiration date of any medication you use.

How to breathe correctly through an inhaler mask

There are a few more rules that must be followed.

• The procedure cannot be carried out immediately after eating. You need to wait at least half an hour. It is forbidden to eat or drink for 2 hours after completion of inhalation.
• You should not go outside for 2 hours in cold weather, 1 hour in warm weather. In the first case, the respiratory tract will be damaged by cold air, in the second - by dusty air.
• It is prohibited to pour oily substances, suspensions, or herbal decoctions into the chamber of a compressor or ultrasonic device. The device is designed for spraying medications.
• The mask can be used for any diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, while the mouthpiece can be used correctly for the mouth and the cannula for the nose.

The main advantages of using a mask when breathing through a nebulizer are convenience and simplicity. Rubber bands hold the accessory, you can sit quietly, watch TV, or flip through the gadget. Disadvantages - does not adhere tightly to the skin, “leakage” of active substances occurs. If you use the inhaler correctly, the condition improves within 24 hours.

When classic medications are ineffective, inhalation can relieve the annoying symptoms of a stuffy nose or cough. Due to the fact that beneficial substances are introduced into the body naturally, there is direct contact with the mucous membrane.

This allows healing microparticles to be quickly absorbed into the blood and have an immediate effect on the source of infection. Now this method of prevention has a lot of variations: from the home method with steam over a saucepan to special devices like a nebulizer. What are the main advantages of this approach, and how to follow them correctly?

Content

It is recommended to resort to such therapy for most diseases that affect problems with the nose and throat.

Since during inhalation, medicinal substances best demonstrate their benefits in the case of diagnoses:

• runny nose (rhinitis);

• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• pollen allergy;
• asthma attacks;
• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis;
• sinusitis.

Depending on the complexity of the symptoms, it is necessary to choose the most effective method: inhalation of water vapor (removing mucus), electric aerosols (relieving spasms), aeroionoinhalation (restoring intermittent breathing), inhalation with sea and mineral waters (relieving swelling and inflammation).

The optimal time for such a procedure is 1.5-2 hours after eating. Each drug or device usually has separate instructions that must be followed.

But knowing the general rules of prevention at home is also important:

• sit upright, do not turn around or talk during the procedure;
• you need to breathe slowly and deeply; if your nasal passages are blocked, do it with your mouth;
• the medicinal product can be stored and used for no more than 2 weeks from the moment the package is opened;
• independently prepared mixtures should be fresh and used within 1-3 days, after which new ones should be made;
• to inhale correctly, you need to hold your breath for a few seconds and then release the air through your nose;
• The procedure should be repeated until there is liquid left in the inhaler (in some cases, until it cools down);
• if antibiotics or steroid drugs were used, after completing therapy, rinse your mouth thoroughly with boiled water;
• Within an hour after the session, you should not smoke or experience serious physical activity.

By carefully following the listed rules, you can significantly increase the effectiveness of respiratory tract treatment and reduce the hospital period.

The use of an inhaler requires basic discipline from the patient, otherwise the effect of the beneficial elements will dissipate and the source of viruses will spread further throughout the body.

For children, it is also important to monitor the dose concentration and frequency of use - no more than 2 times a day.

• For example, hot inhalations of a medicinal solution need to be maintained at 50-65 °C, and it is important to use essential oils correctly at a lower level - about 40 °C.
• Cold therapy is often used when steam therapy is dangerous for the patient (elderly people or children).
• It is also worth remembering that the healing solution is selected based on the model of the inhaler, because devices often have limitations in load and can fail or even harm the patient if the “filling” is selected incorrectly.
• The doctor must prescribe a suitable device or opt for the typical format - a nebulizer.
• It is a simple device consisting of a chamber for medicinal mixtures and a special attachment:

• mouthpiece – delivers medicine into the respiratory tract;
• mask – cleanses the mucous membrane of bacteria and removes mucus;
• nasal cannulas – in case of rhinitis and sinusitis.

Before starting each procedure, it is necessary to carefully check the condition of the device and settings (adjusting the solution supply). It is also necessary to regularly clean the tube with nozzles, which is usually easy to do with a 96% alcohol solution and warm water.

Even though inhalation is considered a very harmless way to treat a runny nose and cough, here, too, certain nuances must be observed.

In particular, it is advised to refrain from such prevention when:

• body temperature above 37.5 °C;
• frequent nosebleeds;
• chronic lung and heart diseases;
• tonsillitis (purulent inflammation);
• recovery period after heart attack and stroke;
• swelling of the larynx, acute inflammation;
• allergic reaction to the components of the solution.

1. Otherwise, there is a high risk of causing new breathing problems or causing dizziness and nausea in the young patient.
2. When trying to figure out how to use an inhaler, do not experiment and do not expect obvious errors.
3. Carefully read the instructions for the device or rely on the tips of your doctor - he will help you choose useful recipes for the solution, prescribe the necessary frequency of procedures and make sure that you perform breathing exercises correctly.
4. Only with such an integrated approach can you achieve the most positive effect from treatment and get rid of nasal congestion in the shortest possible time.

Coughing is a protective reaction of the body to remove phlegm and mucus from the lungs and bronchi. Cough is accompanied by both acute respiratory infections, including pneumonia, and chronic respiratory diseases: bronchial asthma, chronic pharyngitis, bronchitis. For bronchial asthma, a nebulizer is a vital device: it allows you to quickly stop asthma attacks. A nebulizer is also indispensable in the treatment of allergic cough.

For inhalation, drugs of different groups are used:

• antiseptics and antibiotics: Furacilin, Fluimucil, Gentamicin, Dioxidin, Chlorophyllipt;
• bronchodilators - to relieve spasms in the bronchi: Berodual, Salbutamol, Berotek, Magnesium Sulfate, Atrovent, Salgim;
• hormonal agents: Budesonide, Pulmicort, Cromohexal, Dexamethasone;
• immunomodulators: Interferon, Derinat;
• local anesthesia: lidocaine;
• mucolytics - to improve expectoration: Lazolvan, Fluimucil, Pulmozim, ACC Inject, Mucaltin, Pertussin;
• herbal preparations: Rotokan, Malavit, Tonzilgon N.

  
  Furacilin is effective for coughs

The order of use of drugs follows the logic of treatment: first, bronchodilators, after 15–20 minutes, thinning drugs, after coughing and sputum release, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. For the treatment of bronchopulmonary diseases, doctors recommend using a complex of Berodual with Lazolvan.

How often can you inhale with a nebulizer?

The inhalation therapy regimen and frequency of treatment measures must be agreed upon with the doctor. The specialist takes into account not only the characteristics of the disease, but also the age of the patient.

Most often, at home, it is recommended to inhale daily for 7-10 days . Depending on the drug, physiotherapy is carried out several times a day:

• young children undergo two treatment sessions per day;
• children over 6 years old and adults – 3-4 times a day;
• in some cases, it is allowed to use the inhaler five times a day, every 3 hours.

If symptoms do not go away after 5 days after starting therapy, you should consult a specialist: you may need to change your treatment tactics.

What medications should you use for inhalation?

There cannot be any general recommendations for which medications are best used in nebulizers. Since they are used to treat many diseases. Accordingly, medications for inhalation will vary.

Moreover, even with a similar diagnosis, the doctor’s prescriptions may differ. Because in each case of the disease, an individual approach to therapy should be selected.

But no matter what medication you use, the common thing is that inhalation with a nebulizer promotes the rapid flow of active substances to the bronchi, lungs, and trachea.

An important factor in the inhalations is how much of the solution is used for the procedure.

If the patient uses a mask, then part of the substance is sprayed into the nose, so not all of the medicine gets into the lungs. It is more advisable to use a mouthpiece for inhalation if you want the entire solution to enter the bronchi and lung tissue.

After certain medications, such as corticosteroids, there is a risk of oral thrush or hoarseness. Bronchodilators leave an unpleasant aftertaste. Therefore, doctors recommend rinsing the mouth after procedures with a nebulizer.

How long to breathe with a nebulizer

The duration of the session directly depends on the age of the patient:

• adults are recommended to inhale vapors for 10-15 minutes;
• teenagers 6-12 years old – 5-7 minutes;
• For small children under 6 years old, 2-3 minutes is enough.

A child under 1 year of age who is unable to perform the procedure independently should sit on the parent’s lap.

Do not exceed the duration of the session: the continuous operation time of the device is about 15 minutes. Therefore, if the nebulizer is used to treat several people, it is necessary to take a break for 30 minutes. Otherwise, the device may overheat.

What happens during inhalation

A medical product diluted with saline is poured into the nebulizer chamber. During operation of the inhaler, the liquid turns into an aerosol with particles of different sizes. Large drops settle on the walls of the chamber, linger in the oral and nasal cavities, small drops enter the lower respiratory tract, reaching the lungs and bronchi.

The active substances are finally absorbed by the tissues within 20 minutes and are localized in pathological areas. The medication practically does not penetrate into the systemic bloodstream and acts locally. This increases the effectiveness of the medication. If you do everything correctly, the product is evenly distributed, used sparingly, and works better.

Please pay special attention to the fact that the duration of one inhalation can only be determined by the attending physician.

This is a very small list of diseases for which a nebulizer is used. The device is also used to treat pneumonia, sore throat and a number of other complex diseases.

Why will the effectiveness of inhalation treatment and the patient’s further well-being depend on the time at which you carried out the therapy?

The first inhalation of the day should be the procedure immediately after sleep. This way you will free the child’s bronchi from sputum accumulated overnight.

If you eat immediately after inhaling the medicine, you may forget about the effect of the treatment. The fact is that the vapors form a film of medicine on the throat, which will gradually penetrate the body. And if you decide to eat right away, the film will not be preserved in the respiratory tract, but will end up in the stomach, where it will have no positive effect. The medicine is not absorbed immediately; this takes time.

But sometimes cases arise when you urgently need to carry out inhalation, then we don’t pay attention for a while. To prevent the film from being destroyed, you can immediately snack on liquid porridge.

Experts have prohibited inhalations after physical activity. The respiratory and cardiac systems should calm down so that there are no sudden surges in pressure and the pulse becomes uniform. Otherwise, therapy will not benefit you and may worsen the condition.

With this method of treatment, the surface of the mucous membrane is almost completely covered with the sprayed drug. This speeds up the healing process, since the medicine begins to act immediately after contact with the mucous membrane.

Tablets and mixtures must travel a long way through the stomach.

A special device that converts medicines into an aerosol - a nebulizer - has received great recognition. It is capable of spraying the drug in the form of very small particles.

In the form of finely dispersed fractions, the medicine is able to reach its destination faster. This is a very convenient inhalation method that can be used at home.

To effectively use such a special device, you need to know how to breathe properly with a nebulizer.

Using a nebulizer

Inhalations with a nebulizer can be used not only to eliminate the disease, but also as a preventive measure. This is often necessary to maintain immunity or prevent mucous fungal infections when someone in the family is already sick.

There are a lot of diseases that can be treated with inhalation. They can be divided into the following groups:

1. Diseases that are accompanied by coughing attacks, therefore, require immediate treatment. Such manifestations occur with asthma or allergic diseases. Inhalation in this case is the main method of administering medications.
2. Inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract that occur in a chronic form (bronchitis, rhinitis).
3. Diseases that are abbreviated as acute respiratory infections (pharyngitis, laryngitis).
4. Diseases associated with the patient's profession - miners, chemists, and actors.
5. Some diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular or endocrine systems.

Having a nebulizer in families with small children is a particularly urgent need. It is children who are more susceptible to colds. When coughing or inflammation of the nasopharynx, breathing with small particles of medications speeds up the healing process. However, the child must be explained how to breathe correctly during inhalation with a nebulizer.

A nebulizer is a good helper to cope with the disease. However, inhalations using this device must be performed correctly. There are some prohibitions, both general and special, that must be followed:

1. The use of oils and various preparations containing them is prohibited when performing inhalations. The nebulizer sprays the drug into very small particles, transforming even the oily structure into them. When breathing such fractions of the drug, the bronchi become covered with a film. This prevents them from performing their functions. Such an oily film can cause pulmonary edema. This is a very dangerous manifestation that develops quite quickly. Even with an urgent emergency call, you may not have time to save the patient.
2. It is prohibited to use drugs and their solutions containing various suspensions. Also, poorly filtered herbal infusions should not be used.
3. Medications intended for inhalation should be diluted only with saline solution purchased from a pharmacy chain. In this case, its temperature should be above 20 °C.
4. The use of an inhalation nebulizer is prohibited for people diagnosed with pulmonary hemorrhage, arrhythmia or heart failure.
5. Cleaning the openings of the device with needles or wire is strictly prohibited. Due to such actions, the necessary dispersion of the sprayed substance is lost. This leads to low efficiency of procedures.

It must be remembered that the treatment regimen, as well as the composition of the solution, can only be prescribed by the attending physician.

Rules for inhalation

To perform the procedure, you need to assemble the nebulizer and disinfect the mask or nozzle with a special solution purchased at the pharmacy.

In its absence, this can be done using hydrogen peroxide. Then you need to re-read the instructions again. This is required in order to remember how to breathe into the nebulizer inhaler correctly.

When performing the procedure, you must adhere to the following general rules:

1. Inhalation should not be performed immediately after a meal or physical activity. The procedure can be carried out only after a certain period of time - from one to one and a half hours.
2. It is not recommended to smoke for an hour before or after inhalation.
3. When performing the procedure, you must sit and do not try to talk. The nebulizer chamber must be in a vertical position.
4. The drug, which is in the refrigerator, is used within two weeks after opening the package. Be sure to check the expiration date of the medication.
5. Fill the chamber of the device according to the doctor’s recommendations regarding the treatment regimen and the composition of the drug. First, pour saline solution into the nebulizer, and then the drug.

Rules for breathing through a nebulizer

Following the recommendations on how to breathe during inhalation with a nebulizer is a must. Their implementation is necessary to ensure that the drug reaches its intended destination, which contributes to a faster cure. Recommendations on how to breathe correctly into a nebulizer, depending on the disease, are as follows:

1. When treating deep sections of the respiratory tract, inhalation should be performed using deep, slow breathing through the mouth. This is especially necessary if a mask is used. Each time you need to hold your breath for two seconds before exhaling. For seriously ill patients this is sometimes impossible. In this case, breathe calmly and, preferably, evenly.
2. When treating the larynx, pharynx or trachea, special breathing is used. After a deep breath taken through the mouth, hold your breath for one or two seconds. Exhale completely through the nose.
3. Treatment of the nasopharynx, nose, or paranasal sinuses requires the use of nasal cannulas or a mask. Calm, shallow breathing is done through the nose. No voltage is required.

Inhalation time

The usual recommendation for adults and children regarding the time of the procedure is as follows. Inhalation must be continued until the liquid from the nebulizer chamber is completely sprayed. However, the duration may vary under different conditions. This mainly depends on the amount of solution used, and its temperature also matters.

The instructions for using the nebulizer recommend pouring 4 ml of liquid into the chamber. At the same time, when treating cough, many doctors recommend a volume of 3 ml for adults and children over 6 years of age, 2 ml for children over two years of age, and only 1 ml for very young children. At the same time, the time for performing the procedure is clearly indicated: for adults – only 5 minutes, and for children, 2 minutes is enough.

In any case, when performing inhalations with a nebulizer, you must follow the recommendations prescribed by your doctor. He considers a specific situation each time, and the duration of therapeutic procedures when treating different organs differs. The same applies to the amount of the drug used.

Nobulizer preparations

For inhalation using a nebulizer, quite a lot of medications are used, which are diluted with saline solution:

1. If a dry cough bothers you, then quite often the doctor prescribes the bronchodilator drug Berodual.
2. A wet cough can be eliminated with the use of Lazolvan or Ambrobene.
3. A cough that “tears” the chest during bacterial bronchitis is treated with the use of Furacilin.

How to carry out the procedure correctly

The inhalation algorithm is quite simple:

• the patient sits down at the table, placing in front of him a device connected to the network and pre-filled with a solution;
• It is necessary to insert cannulas into the nasal passages, a mouthpiece into the mouth, or put on a mask, pressing it tightly to the lower part of the face;
• after that the device is turned on.

The inhalation solution should not be too cold, so it should be warmed to room temperature before use.

The session is performed following the following recommendations:

• if inhalation is prescribed for a child, the technique of performing the procedure is first explained to him and he is told about precautions;
• inhalation of the solution is carried out slowly. You should not inhale medicinal vapors too deeply: this can lead to a cough reflex;
• if inflammation has affected the lower respiratory tract, when inhaling, you need to hold the air for one or two seconds, then exhale through the nostrils;
• when coughing, medicinal vapors are inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nose;
• if the patient has rhinitis, breathe in steam through the nose, exhale through the mouth;
• for some diseases of the respiratory system, it is recommended to breathe alternately through the mouth and nose;
• Before the procedure, you must make sure that the temperature does not exceed the norm. This is especially true for children;
• after performing inhalation therapy, you should rinse your mouth with boiled water (this will help avoid candidiasis) and wipe your face with a damp cloth;
• At the end of the process, it is necessary to disassemble the device and wash its parts with a solution of soda or hydrogen peroxide. Before putting the device into the box, dry it thoroughly.

A pocket inhaler is even easier to use. Remove the protective cap from the bottle, turn the bottle over and shake it. The patient exhales air through the mouth, after which he inserts the spray into the oral cavity and, while inhaling, presses the bottom of the bottle.

Cleaning the nebulizer

It is advisable to clean the nebulizer after each inhalation.

◐ First, pour some clean water into the medicine reservoir.

◑ Spray water with the device turned on for about 2 minutes

◐ After spraying, turn off the device from the mains or remove the batteries

◑ Wash all parts

◐ Dry and place in a lint-free cloth

◑ To prevent deformation, do not boil parts

◐ Rinse the bumper located inside the medicine chamber after each procedure.

◑ Do not use a pin or needle to clean the bumper.

◐ Not recommended for dishwasher cleaning

◑ Wash masks in soapy water and warm water

◐ Do not use cotton swabs for cleaning

◑ Place the medicine cup in hot but not boiling water for ten minutes

◐ All parts can be immersed in ethyl alcohol for one minute

◑ Before inhalation, make sure all parts of the device are clean and dry

If you do not use the device for a long time, remove the batteries.

When not to inhale

Despite the fact that inhalation administration of drugs is absolutely safe for patients of all ages, in some cases it is prohibited:

• A strict contraindication is elevated temperature. For children, this indicator should not exceed 37 degrees, for adults – 37.5°C.
• Treatment measures are prohibited for persons suffering from cardiovascular pathologies, those who have had a heart attack or stroke, or those who have high blood pressure.
• Purulent tonsillitis is a direct limitation for inhalation.
• Inhalation treatment can aggravate the course of some serious lung diseases, for example, pneumothorax, emphysema. Severe respiratory failure is also a contraindication to this physiotherapy procedure.
• You should not use a nebulizer if you have nosebleeds, increased capillary fragility, or coughing up hemoptysis.
• The use of therapeutic measures for malignant tumors of internal organs is prohibited.
• If you are intolerant to the drug, you should discard it and replace it with another one.
• Sessions should be used with caution during pregnancy.

If the procedure is prescribed for a newborn child, it is best performed in a hospital, under the supervision of a doctor. If the baby is excited or capricious, inhalation should be postponed until he calms down.

What medications can be used to treat a wet cough?

For use in a nebulizer, not only drugs for inhalation are indicated, but also mineral water, for example, Borjomi or Narzan. To treat a cough with mineral water, you should first warm it up and release all the bubbles, since it is carbon dioxide, which you cannot breathe. The simplest and those that do not carry any consequences are inhalations with saline solution. It should be remembered that inhalations when a child coughs should be done with great caution.

The cough inhaler is filled with ready-to-use inhalation solutions. The main ones are:

• bronchodilators. In case of chronic damage to the upper respiratory tract or to relieve attacks of bronchial asthma, a portable nebulizer is used. Medicines for inhalation for coughs that have an anti-asthmatic effect are poured into it, for example: “Salgim”, “Berodual”, “Berotek” and “Atrovent”. All of these drugs are good for adults and children. There are no contraindications, they have proven themselves to have a rapid therapeutic effect;
• expectorants and drugs that thin sputum. When sputum accumulates in the upper respiratory tract and stagnates in the lower respiratory tract, it is treated using inhalation with Fluimucil and ACC Inject. These nebulized inhalation medications do not combine well with antibiotics. Therefore, if the latter are prescribed to the patient, then “Fluimucil-antibiotic” is used for inhalation for coughing. The active ingredient of these drugs is acetylcysteine. It is recommended if the patient is taking paracetamol, as it reduces the toxic effect on the liver;
• These cough nebulizer medications are used with antibiotics. For complex therapy, along with antibiotics, use nebulized inhalation solutions for coughs that contain ambroxol. The most popular are Lazolvan and Ambrobene cough inhalation solutions. They are diluted with saline solution, which can also be purchased at any pharmacy. It should be remembered that these drugs should not be used with any other antitussives;
• anti-inflammatory drugs. Such drugs are prescribed for damage to the upper and middle respiratory tract, as well as for injuries. The most popular homeopathic preparations are Rotokan and Malavit. Alcohol infusions of herbs are also widely used. They relieve inflammation of the nasopharynx and relieve sore throat. For tonsillitis and laryngitis, Tonzilgon N solution is prescribed. This is a homeopathic herbal medicine. It is recommended to use even for children under 1 year of age. Correctly doing inhalations with a nebulizer using such medications is quite simple. You just need to strictly follow all the rules prescribed in the instructions;
• herbal remedies. Here you should check for allergies to bee products, since all these preparations are based on propolis. Such inhalations are recommended for the treatment of absolutely any respiratory diseases. They relieve inflammation and pain well, disinfect, heal microtraumas and relieve swelling;
• antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids. Inhalations with such drugs have anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic effects. The most popular of these drugs are Pulmicort, Dexamethasone and Cromohexal. They are prescribed together with hormonal drugs, so such inhalations are contraindicated for children under 2 years of age, pregnant and lactating women;
• antibiotics and antiseptics. Many of the antibacterial solutions can be prepared at home. Furacilin cough solution has an excellent disinfectant effect and prevents infection from entering the lower respiratory tract. Inhalations with Miramistin are used to treat purulent tonsillitis. A solution with Ingalipt is used against staphylococcal infections. It can be replaced with Chlorophyllipt solution. Although such inhalations are very beneficial for the lungs, they cannot be used for bronchial asthma or spasms in the bronchi;
• immunostimulants. The best drugs for this effect are considered to be Interferon and Derinat. Interferon is mainly used for nasal instillation, but Derinat is indispensable for inhalation. Such inhalations for coughs are prescribed for the prevention of influenza and ARVI, as well as for the relief of chronic conditions;
• decongestants. For laryngitis, laryngotracheitis or false croup, Naphthyzin and Epinephrine, diluted with saline, help relieve swelling. These drugs are used only under the supervision of a doctor, as they are addictive and can even cause disruptions in the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• antitussive drugs. If the patient has a dry, nonproductive cough, antitussive drugs are prescribed. Inhalations with a nebulizer stop such a cough and have an anesthetic effect. The most commonly used solutions are Lidocaine and Tussamaga, diluted with saline.

For inhalation with a nebulizer for cough, only proven medications are used. If the patient is prescribed several medications, inhalations must first be done to expand the lungs.

You should breathe with the inhaler until the drug evaporates completely. After at least 20 minutes, you can use mucolytics, and then antibiotics.

All cough inhalation solutions must be sterile. Under no circumstances should they be diluted with boiled tap water. To do this, use distilled water or saline solution (isotonic solutions).

The range of drugs used for inhalation with a nebulizer for cough is very wide. However, there are also drugs that are contraindicated for use for such inhalations.

Do not use drugs that are not able to affect the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. For example, "Diphenhydramine" and "Papaverine".

Preparations based on essential oils are used to treat the nasopharynx, but not the respiratory system. If they are poured into the tank, they can even ruin the nebulizer, since it will not be possible to rinse it.

It is not recommended to use herbal infusions and decoctions due to the risk of overdose of active substances, and also, herbal waste can clog the tube of the device. When coughing, you should use the inhaler carefully and only with those medications prescribed by your doctor.

A dry cough is the result of irritation of the mucous membranes due to inflammation. The mucous membrane is dry and requires, first of all, hydration. For these purposes, alkaline mineral waters (Borjomi, Narzan, Essentuki) are used, releasing carbon dioxide from it. Saline and saline work well with moisturizing.

How to breathe into a nebulizer correctly and how to refill it with a non-productive cough:

1. To reduce pain, apply local anesthesia with Lidocaine.
2. Next, use mucolytic drugs that increase sputum production: Ambroxol, Lazolvan, Fluimucil.
3. Moisturize with saline solution or mineral water - up to 5-6 times a day.

Procedures for dry cough are carried out until sputum begins to actively come out. After this, you need to switch to a wet cough treatment regimen.

For wet coughs, expectorant mixtures often have no effect; inhalations are much more effective. Sometimes inhalation is the only method of treatment: for example, if you need to give medicine to an infant.

For a wet cough, you can fill the nebulizer with:

1. When sputum production is established, bronchodilators (Atrovent, Magnesium Sulfate) are used.
2. 15 minutes after inhalation, mucolytics (Lazolvan) are used.
3. Antiseptics, antibiotics and antimicrobials are applied after 30–40 minutes.
4. After complete recovery, a course of immunomodulators is recommended.

Traditional medicine uses recipes from herbal infusions to treat coughs. The most common herbs that you can breathe in are chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot, pine needles, mint, linden, eucalyptus, and sage. The infusion of each herb is prepared separately; the ingredients are mixed only before use. Usually concentrated solutions are not used; it is recommended to dilute them with mineral water or saline solution.

Inhalations with herbal infusions relieve inflammation and usually moisturize the nasopharynx, but you need to carefully study the effect of each plant: for example, for a dry cough, eucalyptus or sage are not recommended, they dry out the respiratory tract. However, they cope perfectly with wet coughs.

Now in pharmacies you can buy ready-made alcohol tinctures of a wide variety of plant extracts that are suitable for use in a nebulizer.

What you can and cannot refill your inhaler with

Not all products can be poured into the inhaler available at home:

• Oily products and essential oils are not used for inhalation administration. By breaking down into small particles, substances can create a kind of film on the bronchi, which can lead to increased inflammation and swelling of the lungs.
• You should not add herbal decoctions to the nebulizer, which are not capable of turning into an aerosol.
• Self-made tablets, cough syrups and suspensions can damage your inhaler.

The compressor nebulizer uses mainly pharmaceutical drugs mixed with saline solution:

• bronchodilators;
• antiseptics;
• mucolytic and expectorant medications;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• hormone-based medications;
• antibiotics;
• immunostimulants;
• cough suppressants.

In addition, it is allowed to pour moisturizers into the inhaler: solutions of soda and salt, mineral water, sodium chloride.

Inhalation therapy using a nebulizer is a fairly popular procedure that does not require medical skills. Proper operation of the device, as well as compliance with the rules for carrying out therapeutic measures, will help to significantly alleviate the course of the disease and speed up the recovery process.

Criteria by which nebulizers are selected

As for adults, you need to carefully choose cough inhalers for children. Better based on the recommendations of doctors.

Patients suffering from acute respiratory diseases need the best nebulizer - a powerful compressor device with a large bowl volume.

For allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, an electronic mesh nebulizer is suitable. Such an inhaler for children must meet all requirements. It has a high speed of atomizing drug particles.

It is also desirable that the device be battery-powered.

During the cold season, you should choose a simple, inexpensive ultrasonic nebulizer. It is important that the kit includes additional attachments for children and bowls of different sizes.