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Omron Admin

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Asthma medications may be given in inhaled, oral or injection forms. Inhaled therapy is considered the

essential component to treating asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines considers

the ability to deliver drugs directly to airways as a major advantage of inhaled treatment. Nebulizer is

one of the devices used for inhaled medication in which drug is formulated in aqueous solution or

suspension and then atomized into droplets by mechanical means. Given the continuous innovation in

nebulizer technology, nebulizer therapy offers many benefits that made it remains as a viable and

relevant method.

Effective Medication Delivery

Most airborne particles will be filtered out by the anatomy of the airways except for small particles

between 1 and 7 µm in diameter. Nebulizer, through the generation of fine aerosol droplets helps deliver

the medication to the necessary target organ; your lungs.

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If medications are taken orally, it will take time to pass through the gastrointestinal tract to your

bloodstream before the body use the active substances where they are needed, while a nebulizer

delivers medications very quickly and directly to the respiratory tract. In a report by the American

Association for Respiratory Care, Albuterol, a commonly used bronchodilator, begins to work in around

five minutes when given in nebulizer form, compared to around 30 minutes when given orally. This

means nebulizer therapy is a faster and efficient way to deliver medication into the lungs.

Fewer Side Effects

Increase in efficiency of drug delivery also means that the medication will act faster and at a lower dose

which will reduce the incidence of side effects. High levels of drug deposited only in the lung provide

active drug to the required tissues only. The dosage of medicine needed in nebulizer therapy is also

lesser as compared to medicines given orally.

Hence, nebulizer therapy reduces the risk of side effects compared to oral administration of the same

medications. Intake of bronchodilators by nebulizers reduces its systemic side effects such as a

headache, tremors or rapid heartbeat. Long-term complications of steroids such as weight gain, high

blood pressure, bone loss, high blood glucose or susceptibility to infection will also be reduced through

drugs administration by nebulizer.

Easy to Use

Nebulizers require very little effort to use. It is a preferred device for children, elderly patients, disabled

individuals or those with difficulties in using their hands and taking deep breaths. Unlike inhalers, which

generally require certain breathing/hand coordination, you only need to breathe normally during

nebulizer therapy. This makes it easier for a caretaker to administer the medication when the patient is

unable to do it themselves. Even babies or severely debilitated people can receive medication by

nebulizer.

Nowadays, there are portable, compressor-driven nebulizers to meet patients’ desires for portability.

This eliminates the previous limitation of a stationary nebulizer, making it even easier to use.

Better compliance

In a recent study involving 8,000 patients with asthma, it was shown that less than 50% took their

preventive medication regularly. Without compliance, patients will not benefit from the preventive effect

of their medication. The ease of use of nebulizer will motivate asthmatic patients to comply with their

recommended daily administration of drugs. Convenience and ease of use affect patient satisfaction.

Patient satisfaction correlated with compliance and better outcomes. Multiple studies showed that

patients who were completely satisfied with the handling of their device reported significant adherence

to therapy and consequently better outcomes including quality of life.

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Prevention

By increasing patient satisfaction with their device and promoting compliance, the preventive aspect of

the treatment goals for asthma will be achieved. Nebulizer treatments can prevent asthma episodes as

well as treating an asthma attack. Long-term bronchodilators are taken on a daily basis relax the

muscles in the lung and open up the airways to ease breathing. Inhaled steroids, on the other hand, are

the most important treatment to reduce inflammation and prevent flare-ups in asthma. It also works by

reducing swelling and mucus production in the airways. Consequently, the airways will become less

sensitive and less likely to be exacerbated by triggers.

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