A nebulizer is a device used to treat conditions like asthma — here's how to use one
- To use a nebulizer involves multiple steps that include pouring the medicine into the medicine cup and sitting up straight to inhale.
- A nebulizer is a drug delivery device that turns liquid medications into an inhalable vapor.
- It is used to treat respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis.
- This article was medically reviewed by Osita Onugha, MD, thoracic surgeon and assistant professor of thoracic surgical oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Various lung conditions make it harder for people to breathe, resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic coughing. There are a variety of treatments available to help patients breathe easier and reduce the symptoms related to their condition.
A nebulizer is one tool that is used for people with a variety of respiratory conditions including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. In this article, we discuss how a nebulizer works, who it can benefit, and how to use one.
What is a nebulizer?
A nebulizer is a drug delivery device that turns liquid medications into a mist that can be inhaled.
Like inhalers, nebulizers are designed to help people with respiratory conditions breathe more easily. Both inhalers and nebulizers use the same medication, just administered differently. The main difference between the two is that inhalers are more portable and can be taken on-the-go.
Nebulizers are machines that are generally heavier and require a power source. Portable battery-operated ones are available, but not as common. Moreover, a nebulizer comes with multiple components:
- The base
- The air compressor
- A container or medicine cup
- Tubing that the mist travels through
- A mouthpiece or mask
Who should use a nebulizer
Although a nebulizer may seem complicated, they are actually pretty user-friendly.
"Nebulizers are often easier to use for children or for patients who have difficulty following the directions for inhalers, which requires some coordination of breathing, such as breathing deeply in or out," says Lori Shah, MD, transplant pulmonologist with New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center.
They are also great for patients with constant coughs who find it difficult to follow deep breathing instructions that go along with inhalers. Shah says that with nebulizers, you just have to sit with the mouthpiece or mask and breathe in and out slowly, usually for about 10 to 15 minutes.
People who use nebulizers may do so for up to three to four times a day, according to the US National Library of Medicine. People may also have inhalers, in addition to a nebulizer, to take with them as a portable option if they need relief on the go.
Generally, nebulizers and their medications are prescribed by a doctor. And nebulizers come in various shapes and sizes, so you should check to make sure you have the right medication for the proper nebulizer.
How to use a nebulizer
Here's a step-by-step guide for how to use a nebulizer, according to Shah:
- Thoroughly wash and dry your hands to avoid getting germs on the machine.
- Place the nebulizer on a flat surface and plug it in.
- Pour your medicine into the medicine cup or medicine holding chamber.
- Connect the nebulizer tubing from the air compressor (the base of the machine) to the liquid medicine cup.
- Attach the mouthpiece or mask to the medicine cup.
- Turn the machine on.
- Sit up straight and place the mask on your face or place the mouthpiece between your teeth, sealing your lips around it. You will feel the air flowing out.
- Take slow, deep breaths until the medicine is gone.
- Remove the mask or mouthpiece.
- Turn off the nebulizer.
- Clean the machine.
It can take some time to get familiar with using the nebulizer, but with time, you'll get in the swing of it and it will become simpler, says Shah.
How to clean a nebulizer
It's important to keep the nebulizer clean by washing the mask or mouthpiece and the medicine cup after each use. You should hand wash each component with warm soapy water and then let them air dry. You can also use a mild detergent.
On top of this, it's necessary to do a more thorough cleaning weekly to disinfect the nebulizer. Shah recommends soaking each piece in a solution that is equal parts water and white vinegar for 30 minutes. Then, rinse them with warm water and let it all air dry.
According to Cleveland Clinic, alternate ways to disinfect the machine would be to either soak the parts for five minutes in 70% isopropyl alcohol or soak them for thirty minutes in 3% hydrogen peroxide. This will help prevent bacteria from growing in and on the nebulizer.
When the nebulizer isn't in use, Shah says to store it in a cool, dry area in your home.