Nebulizer cough inhalations for children and adults

Taking from a cough of various tablets, mixtures, syrups and drops, do not miss the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of treatment and recover faster, using such a simple and effective method as inhalation for cough nebulizer.

Inhaler or nebulizer: what is it?

In medicine, the process of inhalation of medicines and therapeutically active (mucoactive) substances - in the form of vapors or liquid suspensions in a gaseous medium - is called inhalation (from Latin inhalare - to inhale). In this way they are introduced directly into the respiratory organs: nasopharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs, inflammation of which causes coughing. The advantages of targeted drug delivery are obvious: they begin to act faster. The question of higher efficacy remains debatable, since the pharmacokinetics of some drugs taken orally includes a stage of their absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the inhaled drug, systemic side effects may be reduced, as a lower dose may provide the required local concentration.

What is an inhaler? It is a special medical equipment (apparatus or device) that is used to atomize a medicine. It goes directly into the respiratory system, where it is deposited on the mucous membranes and can be absorbed.

By the way, in the nasopharyngeal region - due to the large size of mucous membrane cells and rapid air movement through the nasopharyngeal region - absorption is minimal. In the tracheobronchial part of the respiratory system, only soluble substances are absorbed, and insoluble substances are transported by the mesenteric epithelium back to the nasopharynx and oral cavity. But in the alveoli of the lungs, even relatively soluble substances are rapidly absorbed into the systemic bloodstream (and insoluble substances are absorbed by alveolar macrophages).

Now, what is a nebulizer. In English, nebulizer means nebulizer, and nebulosity means cloudiness, nebula, although the etymology is clearly traced in Latin: nebula - fog. Thus, it is a type of inhaler, which inhaled drug first transforms into an aerosol - a mixture of air and liquid droplets, by degree of dispersion close to the fog (with a maximum particle diameter of 0.005 mm). To achieve this droplet size, pneumatic (compressor) nebulizers use compressed air, and ultrasonic nebulizers use high-frequency sound vibrations induced by a piezoelectric emitter.

The aerosol with the medication is inhaled through a mouthpiece, but for elderly people it is replaced by a face mask. The nebulizer for children is used in the same way - with a mask - for coughs, runny nose and inflammation of the respiratory tract.

However, using a mouthpiece has advantages in that more of the aerosol is deposited in the bronchi and lungs, whereas inhalation through a mask results in diffuse atomization of the solution mainly in the upper respiratory tract.

Indications for the procedure

Inhalation method is used in acute respiratory diseases accompanied by rhinitis, cough, inflammation of the nasopharynx and throat. With what kind of cough is the nebulizer used? It can be used in the treatment of both dry (non-productive) cough, and wet - productive: to reduce the viscosity of bronchial mucous secretion (sputum) and facilitate its expectoration.

The main indications for nebulizer inhalation include laryngitis, laryngotracheitis (including acute stenotic), bronchitis (acute, chronic, asthmatic, obstructive), bronchiolitis, tracheobronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectatic disease, pneumonia and bronchopneumonia, obstructive lung diseases, respiratory form of cystic fibrosis of the lungs (cystic fibrosis), emphysema and pulmonary tuberculosis.

How it is necessary to carry out inhalations with bronchitis, what drugs for their implementation are most often prescribed by doctors, in detail in publications:

• Inhalation for bronchitis nebulizer children and adults: how to breathe correctly and recipes
• Inhalation for chronic and obstructive bronchitis.

In these articles and in the material - Inhalation for laryngitis with nebulizer - describes the preparation and technique of this procedure, provides the main drugs and medical recommendations for their use, and also gives recipes for nebulizer for cough of various etiologies.

You can use a nebulizer for cough in pregnancy; what drugs are allowed to use, in detail in the article - How to treat cough in pregnancy and in the material - Inhalation in pregnancy.

Inhalations are also used for runny nose, especially allergic and vasomotor, for more information see Treating runny nose with inhalations.

Technique of the nebulizer cough inhalations

It should be borne in mind that due to the technical features of the nebulizer (and this is indicated in the instructions to the devices) with its help can not make inhalation with decoctions of medicinal plants and solutions that have in their composition essential and other oils. And only 0.9% isotonic saline or distilled water is used for dilution of medicines

Inhalation for dry cough at home

To carry out inhalation for dry cough at home, it is necessary that the solutions, preparations, drops for inhalation appropriate to the diagnosis were prescribed by the attending physician - taking into account the specific diagnosis and available contraindications. This is especially true for children and pregnant women, for whom many medications are not recommended or prohibited.

What to do inhalations for dry barking cough nebulizer, see - Inhalations for dry cough to a child and adult: whether you can do, what kind, recipes (including - with a nebulizer).

Mucolytic agents - solutions for nebulizer inhalation with ambroxol hydrochloride (hydrochloride of trans-4-cyclohexanol - active metabolite of bromhexine) are recommended: Mucosolvan, Amobronc, Ambroxolo EG, Muciclar, Gammaxol or Lintos (15 mg/2 ml), Fluibron or Broxol (0.75%). For more information - Ambroxol for inhalation [1]

Use a solution of Lazolvan (synonym of Ambroxol), read in detail - Lazolvan for inhalation for cough: how to dilute, proportions, how many days to do. [2]

What is useful for dry cough inhalation with mineral water nebulizer, how to use any inhaler with therapeutic hydrocarbonate mineral water and nebulizer with Borjomi for cough, in detail in the article - Inhalation with mineral water.

Improves the condition of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract with saline solution sprayed into them - Saline inhalations for children and adults

Inhalations for cough with phlegm

Mucolytics and expectorants are the main groups of medicines used for inhalation for cough with phlegm.

If bronchial secretion is viscous, Acetylcysteine (derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine) is used: 20% solution, on average 2-5 ml per treatment.

When coughing with sputum, inhalation with the same expectorant Amboxol or Lazolvan (discussed above) improves bronchial mucociliary clearance. These drugs can be used through a nebulizer for children from coughs only after five years of age.

Do not forget about sodium bicarbonate or baking soda, which is an alkaline compound and belongs to secretomotor expectorants. Reviews of physicians testify in favor of inhalations with soda for cough, contributing to a rapid increase in the pH level in the lungs and bronchi, which neutralizes the acidity of bronchial secretion and makes it less dense. Therefore, inhalation of soda for cough nebulizer - one or two procedures a day, 8-9 g of sodium bicarbonate per 100 ml of distilled water - will greatly facilitate the expectoration of sputum.

Antiseptic solution Miramistin belongs to quaternary ammonium salts, is a bactericidal agent, a derivative of benzene and chloride anhydride of myristic acid. It is used topically and externally in surgery, gynecology, urology and dermato-venereology) in ENT practice it can be used for inflammation of paranasal sinuses (for their washing) and tonsillitis (for gargling the throat). And, according to the official instructions, inhalations with Miramistin for coughs with purulent sputum are not carried out. It is better to use the antiseptic Decasan.

In such cases, antibacterial drugs are prescribed orally, or their injection (in case of bacterial etiology of diseases). Antibiotics may also be prescribed for inhalation for cough with nebulizer, in particular - Antibiotic Fluimucil for inhalation [3]

Nebulizer for allergic coughs

For inhalation via nebulizer in allergic cough, asthmatic cough or cough associated with obstructive bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as bronchial spasms, drugs of the group of sympathomimetics (selective agonists of beta2-adrenoreceptors) are prescribed, since all bronchovascular effects are mediated by the sympathetic beta-adrenergic system.

Drugs in this group dilate the lumen of the bronchi, and they include: Salbutamol sulfate (Salbutamol) and its synonym Ventolin for inhalation; Fenoterol (other trade names - Bronchoterol, Berotec); Salmeterol (Serobid, Serevent); Formoterol (Foratec). The predominant part of these drugs is available in aerosol form, which simplifies their use and minimizes overdosing. [4]

Combined drug Berodual, containing phenoterol (stimulating beta2-adrenoreceptors) and ipratropium bromide (blocking m-choline receptors of bronchial muscle fibers and reducing the production of bronchial secretion). How this drug is diluted, in what dosage used, contraindications to its use and possible side effects, in all the details in the material - Berodual in obstructive bronchitis [5]

More and more specialists believe that Dexamethasone for nebulizer inhalation for cough should not be used, since this corticosteroid (solution for injection in ampoules) is a drug for systemic use (parenteral), and Dexamethasone drops are intended for use in ophthalmology. Although this drug can be inhaled before surgery for patients undergoing general anesthesia by endotracheal intubation (to reduce the frequency and severity of postoperative pain and inflammation in the throat). [6]

Inhaled glucocorticoids - the most effective for this route of administration - include Budesonide (synonym Pulmicort), Beclomethasone (Beclazone, Beclocort, Beclovent, Aldecin), Fluticasone (Fluticasone propionate), Mometasone (Asmanex, Zenheil, Nazonex), Triamcinolone (Azmacort). Many of them are available in the form of sprays with dispensers, which reduces the risk of excessive doses fraught with systemic side effects. [7]

The appointment of these drugs is justified by their anti-inflammatory effect and ability to reduce hyperreactivity of the nasal and bronchial mucosa. Read - Pulmicort in obstructive and acute bronchitis: treatment by inhalation

Contraindications to the procedure

In some cases, there are contraindications to or restrictions on inhalation due to possible adverse results. This applies to people with unstable and elevated blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and/or tachycardia.

Do not perform inhalation with fever and hyperthermia, cerebral circulatory disorders, edema of lung tissue and pulmonary bleeding, tendency to spasms of the larynx.

Consequences after the procedure

After inhalation with a nebulizer negative consequences are possible, but they occur very rarely and can manifest themselves, in most cases, as side effects of the drugs used, in particular, as an allergic reaction to them.

For example, a strong cough after nebulizer may temporarily appear after using Ambroxol or Lazolvan.

And inhalation with Berodual can lead to increased heart rate, headache, hyperhidrosis and tremor of the fingers and toes.

Complications after the procedure

After repeated inhalations with corticosteroids, it is theoretically possible to develop a fungal infection (candidiasis) in the mouth or dysphonia (hoarseness of voice), although such complications after the procedure are quite rare.

Bronchial spasm is more frequent, nausea may occur (and with increased excitability of the vomiting center - vomiting), tachycardia, febrile state, a feeling of fatigue.

Care after the procedure

Do not drink liquids or take food for one hour after inhalation. Also do not sing, shout or just talk, exercise or go for a walk. All this can be done no sooner than 2-2.5 hours after the procedure.

How to care for the nebulizer, you should learn in advance - from the instruction manual attached to it.