Nebulization is a process which delivers medicine into the patient’s lungs and has its own set of rules. To understand the process of nebulization, a list of simple do’s and don’ts has been compiled for reference.
Do’s for Nebulization
Follow Directions Given By The Doctors: The most important thing that should be remembered while going for the nebulization process is to understand and follow the instructions given by the physician. Any ambiguity should be cleared with the doctor beforehand and the process of nebulization should be followed in accordance with the instructions without a glitch.
Breathe Through The Mouth: In case of bronchitis, the patient might face trouble in breathing through the nose and if the patient does not use the mouth to breathe in, more than half of the medicine goes unutilized. To ensure complete effect of the medicine, the patient should be encouraged to breathe deeply through the mouth also when undergoing the process of nebulization.
Hold the Breath when you are taking the nebulizer for Ear Infections & Sinusitis: Breathing through the nose is the rule if the nebulization process is being done for ear infections, sinusitis and rhinitis, but the patient should hold the breath a little longer for the best results in these specific cases.
Wait for the Medicine Cup to Empty Completely: In case of nebulization for children, it is hard to keep them occupied as they fidget a lot; and therefore the kids are not able to sit still till the medicine is finished and move before finishing of the medicine. Make sure that the child is calm and takes the complete medicine in a single go, anything that is required to be done to keep the child occupied during nebulization can be employed such as puzzles, video games and cartoons as a distraction from the nebulization procedure. Nebulization is effective only if complied through completely.
Hold the Child Straight: The parents should make sure that the kids are upright while taking the medicine through nebulization for best results. One of the best ways to keep the child upright is to make them sit in the lap until the complete dosage has been inhaled.
Encourage the Kids to Take Deep Breaths: One sure shot way of making the medicine reach the deepest parts of the lungs is to take deep breaths, which fill up the lungs with air. During the nebulization process, the kids should be encouraged to take deep breaths as this would help absorb the medicine better. For ease, the parents can take deep breaths and ask the little ones to mimic the same thing.
Clean the Set Up: It is of utmost importance that the complete nebulization set up be cleaned after every use to avoid any further infections. It is a good idea to follow the directions that come along with the nebulization set up. Disinfecting the nebulizer after use is one of the most important things that should be kept in mind during nebulization.
Don’ts of Nebulization
Don’t Start The Process Of Nebulization Without Being Explicitly Told So: There is a distinct difference between common cold and allergies. Nebulization is done to treat respiratory diseases, but the common day use of the machine in case of congestion might lead the parents to believe that this is an effective means of curing cold. Don’t mix the two processes and definitely don’t start with the nebulization process without being told by the physician to do so explicitly. Even when you have started with doctor’s direction, you should also never self-medicate depending on previous experiences and consider each experience separate from the last.
Don’t Loosen the Nebulization Mask: It is important to ensure that the mask that the patients are wearing is worn in the right manner. If the mask is even a centimeter away from the mouth, the effect of the medicine is drastically reduced. Especially while placing the mask on kids, the parents should not tie it loosely.
Don’t Break The Nebulization Routine: Children tend to adapt quickly to a certain routine and then they don’t feel awkward about it. Make nebulization a routine to ensure the kids are comfortable with the process. It is essential that the routine not be broken.
Don’t Nebulize While Sleeping: It might seem comfortable to go for the nebulization process while sleeping, but the process has no effect whatsoever if done while sleeping. Therefore, the nebulization must never be conducted while sleeping.
Don’t Sterilize The Ampoule Using Heat: In most cases, the ampoule is made of plastic or other materials that are likely to deform when exposed to. Though the nebulization machine must be cleaned after each use, but it should be ensured that the ampoule or the tubes aren’t sterilized with anything involving heat as it can deform the tubes. Instead, you should strictly adhere to the directions that come with the equipment regarding the cleaning of the apparatus.
Don’t be Negative about the Process of Nebulization: When it comes to children, they tend to mimic their parent’s emotions regarding almost everything. If you keep a positive and fun outlook towards the process of nebulization, the kids also find the procedure easy and fun. It is important to not be critical of the nebulization process in front of the kids and to ensure that the process is carried out smoothly.
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- Side Effects of Inhaled Corticosteroids & its Treatment
- Home Treatments for Breathing Problems in Toddlers
- 14 Ways to Prevent COPD from Worsening
