The nebulizer is a device used for the treatment and cure of respiratory problems. Its use allows the administration of drugs to be inhaled by air, and is one of the most used tools, thanks to its effectiveness, for the treatment of asthma, cough, and inflammation of the respiratory system.
Its efficiency is based on the ability of the appliance to reduce the drug into very small particles thanks to the nebulizer, i.e. a small air compressor integrated into the apparatus, which emits a jet of air under pressure inside an ampoule. of glass containing the dose of the drug in liquid form.
Breaking it down into small particles up to 1 micron, which remains suspended in the air and is conveyed into the mask connected to the glass ampoule, to be then inhaled by the patient.
Right here we had listed out the best nebulizers for you that are present below.
Buying Guide to Select the Best Nebulizers
Piston or Ultrasound
The first type exploits the action of the piston of a compressor that generates an airflow, with a power that must vary at least from one to two atmospheres, to guarantee the right efficiency and to be able to reach a nebulization speed of about 1 ml. of solution per minute.
Piston aerosol has the undeniable advantage of having a lower price, compared to ultrasound aerosol, but it has the defect of being noisier because of the compressor.
The ultrasound model, on the other hand, although being more expensive, offers the advantage of being much quieter, because the action of the nebulizer is based on the emission of ultrasound capable of separating the particles at the molecular level, in less time and with greater efficiency.
The only flaw of ultrasound aerosols, however, is that not all types of drugs are suitable to undergo their action, since vibrations tend to raise the temperature of the particles more than the action of compressed air does; consequently they cannot be used, for example, with drugs such as cortisone and its derivatives, because they lose efficacy at high temperatures.
Accessories and maintenance
The aerosols provide standard equipment common to all the models available on the market, given that it is a device classified as a medical device, therefore each model will necessarily be accompanied by the ampoule and the interchangeable ends: the mouthpiece, the nose, and the mask.
The ampoule is made of glass so that it can be adequately washed after each treatment, while the mouthpiece, the nose, and the mask are generally made of plastic, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and easily washable.
Among the various aerosol models, especially those with a piston, some of them could also be equipped with an air purification system, in which case it will be necessary to periodically replace, or wash, the relative filter.
Remember also that, when not in use, it is good to always store the aerosol in its box, in a place sheltered from light and humidity, in order to avoid the formation of mold or other harmful micro-organisms.
Pros and Cons
All the best brands of appliances of this type offer piston and ultrasound models and, since there are valid reasons to opt for one type rather than the other, you will have to choose according to your needs. In our guide, however, we can help you by highlighting the pros and cons of both versions.
Ultrasonic aerosols have the indisputable advantage of low noise and effective and fast nebulization but, on the other hand, they are not suitable for use with all medical solutions and, comparing prices, they are on average more expensive.
Piston devices, on the other hand, are more resistant to wear and frequent use and can be used with any type of medicine. They have a lower price and, in some cases, however, their limited power makes them not very effective for specific treatments.
Take Care of It
Regardless of the type of aerosol chosen, it is very important that after each use it takes a few moments to clean it to prevent drug residues from remaining inside the appliance and, for example, mixing with new medicines, creating ailments or infections.
Maintenance is simple since it is nothing more than disassembling the aerosol, washing the ampoule, and all the accessories under running water and then drying them carefully.
When storing the appliance and the various accessories, make sure that the place chosen is not damp, so as to avoid the formation of mold. If the model chosen is equipped with an air filter, replace it at regular intervals or in any case following the instructions in the instruction booklet.
A small parenthesis: among the most used medical devices lately, in addition to aerosol machines, blood glucose meters also stand out: those looking for one can take a look at the models reviewed.
What the Package Includes
The aerosol machine proposed by Laica stands out from the others in its own category for its compactness and lightness. However, it is equipped with many accessories that make it suitable for carrying out its task well by serving adults and children in a precise and effective way.
In the package there is the nebulizer, clearly, able to make the drug impalpable and light enough to permeate easily in the mucosa of the airways, quickly carrying out its effect.
Depending on the type of treatment preferred, it will be possible to use the mouthpiece or the mask to direct the flow towards the mouth or nose respectively, and act directly on the congested part.
The ampoules supplied are those in which the drug should be diluted with the saline solution. These are disposable pieces, designed to be used only once and therefore to avoid contamination between the different active ingredients of the drugs used.
Quick and Effective Therapy
The machine works by emitting an ultrasound capable of transforming electrical impulses into high-frequency vibrations. By acting directly on the surface of the physiological and drug solution, it manages to transform the liquid into a cloud of particles of extremely small dimensions.
The precision and fineness of the nebulized particles do not correspond to long times for therapy. On the contrary, the machine is capable of effectively spraying up to 0.4 ml of liquid per minute.
In less than 10 minutes the session is completed and will have reached the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth for immediate action. Speed also adds silence. The therapy takes place quickly with a noise that does not reach 40 dB within a radius of one meter from the device.
The only drawback, the lightness of the structure means that you must always hold the machine and mouthpiece or mask in your hand to prevent the drug from spilling.
Less Suitable for Corticosteroids
It is a characteristic common to all ultrasound devices and this from Laica is no exception. It is an important detail to consider before purchasing the appliance because cortisone is one of the drugs most often used to treat nasal congestion.
Who among the buyers has chosen this model confirms that its effectiveness is high even with this type of drug? The disadvantage could concern a faster deterioration of the machine. But the positions are not clear even on the machine’s ability to maintain the healing properties of corticosteroids unaltered.
