At the present time, there are many ways to combat respiratory diseases. One of them is treatment with an inhaler. But, despite the significant increase in the popularity of devices, very few people know what they generally exist, what is their difference, and how to properly choose an apparatus for inhalation. Moreover, it is most important to know which inhaler is best for the baby.
Indications for use of the inhalation method
- Laryngitis.
- Chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis, bronchial asthma.
- False groats.
- Rhinitis, sinusitis.
- Acute respiratory infections with symptoms such as dryness, cough, swelling, or sore throat.
Types and uses of inhalers
The inhaler is a medical device, through which the process of introducing medicinal substances into the patient's body( inhalation) takes place. Apply inhalation for the first symptoms of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, etc.
Thanks to modern inhalers, anyone can do inhalations on their own without visiting doctors or special cabinets. In addition, these devices can be used by both children and elderly people without assistance.
In modern medicine, inhalers are divided into two large groups: nebulizers and steam. In order to understand which inhaler is best for the child, we will examine each of them in more detail.
Steam inhalers
The principle of operation of this device is the evaporation of the drug substance. This method has a physiotherapeutic effect on the body and is used most often at home. The active substance of such an inhaler is steam with a temperature of 55-65 ° C.The vapor of the inhaler, which is used for the upper respiratory tract, expands the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and accelerating metabolism. In addition, the procedure has a local anesthetic effect.
Disadvantages and contraindications to steam inhalations
In order to answer the question of which inhaler is best for the child, you should pay attention to the contraindications of this or that device. For example, steam inhalations are contraindicated at body temperature from 37.5 оС and above. Limited also with steam inhalations and the choice of medications, because when heated, most of the nutrients are simply destroyed. Volatile solutions are used with a boiling point not higher than 100 оС.Another drawback of steam inhalations is the relatively large size of the vapor particles, which, because of their size, can only affect the upper respiratory tract.
Among the contraindications for the use of steam inhalator include such diseases as cardiovascular, bleeding and blood diseases, tuberculosis.
Types and benefits of nebulizers
The nebulizer is a device for inhalation, the principle of which is to spray medicinal substances smaller than 10 microns. That is why, when deciding which inhaler is best for a child up to a year and older, attention should be paid to nebulizers, since nebulized medicinal substances are able to penetrate not only into the upper, but also into the lower respiratory tract. A nebulizer works by dispersing the medication dispensively into the patient's body through a tube or a special mask. Getting into the body, the medicine is quickly and easily absorbed, which, in turn, contributes to a rapid recovery.
Nebulizers for their features and principle of operation are divided into compressor, ultrasonic and mesh-nebulizers. A more detailed description of them will make it possible to understand which inhaler is best for the child( ultrasound or compressor).
Compressor nebulizers
The inhalation compressor is the most common, so to speak, standard or standard. Having a low price and just huge demand, compressor nebulizers are able to spray practical any medicinal substance, even hormone and antibiotics. The device creates an aerosol cloud by a compressor that forms the strongest airflow through a small hole in the drug-containing chamber. Among the drawbacks of the compressor inhaler is worth noting the large dimensions, the binding to the electrical system and simply a terrible noise of up to 70 decibels.
Ultrasonic nebuliser
The principle of operation of this inhaler is to spray the medicinal product with ultrasound. Under the influence of high-frequency vibrations of membranes, water forms a fountain, which turns into an aerosol and is blown by a compressor. The ultrasonic inhaler can also be used for aromatherapy or air humidification. Additional convenience in using the device is its small size and weight, and additional attachments and masks will allow inhalation of a lying or sleeping patient. In addition, near the device during its operation, a whole cloud of fine-dispersed liquid is created in the form of smoke, so the child does not need to keep his face directly at the mouthpiece itself, it is enough to put an ultrasonic device, for example, near a baby crib. And this is a weighty argument in the question: "Which inhaler is best for the child?", 1 year to him or a little more - not the essence is important.
Mesh-nebulizers
In this device, an aerosol cloud is formed when a liquid therapeutic substance is sifted through a vibrating metal mesh-a membrane. Among the advantages of a membrane inhaler, its portability, small size and noiselessness are especially prominent. In addition, the drug substance is sprayed very finely, which allows it to penetrate deeply into the patient's body. The disadvantages of the membrane apparatus are only its high cost.
Which inhaler is best for the baby?
In the modern market, there are many different children's inhalers, presented in the form of cars, airplanes, trains, animals, etc.
It is necessary to choose an inhaler, based on the individual characteristics of the child's body. Any children's device for inhalation will consist of a mouthpiece, nosepiece and mask for breathing. Both ultrasonic and compressor inhalers are also equipped with special nozzles. These tips should be selected, relying on the age of the child. Today, even inhalers for newborns are already on sale.
So, let's review briefly all the devices to decide which inhaler is best for a child of 2 years, for example, or older.
Compressor inhalers are more suitable for home use. This device operates using powerful airflows passing through the chamber in which the drug solution is located. A huge disadvantage of the compressor inhaler is the noise and its large dimensions.
The ultrasonic device, on the other hand, can be used at home, on the road or on a trip, as this inhaler on the battery works. When discussing the question of which inhaler is best for the child, the feedback of many parents is more prone to an ultrasound device, thanks to which the most rapid and easy delivery of medicinal substances to the children's body occurs.
Steam inhalers also have their pluses and minuses. Positive characteristics include good warming of the upper respiratory tract, deep penetration of medicinal substances, rapid sputum discharge and others. Among the minuses of the steam inhaler is a feeling of discomfort in the throat during the procedure, as well as its drying, and also the properties of some useful elements are lost when heated.