One of the most effective ways to treat various respiratory ailments is inhalation. Previously, this method was very inconvenient: you had to sit over a vessel with hot steam for a long time, wrap yourself up, and often such procedures did not give the maximum result.
Now there are many devices on the market called inhalers or nebulizers. They differ in appearance and function, and their range is so large that it is sometimes very difficult to make a choice. Do not know how to choose the right device and which inhaler to buy for your home? Read user reviews, recommendations and helpful tips in this article.
Purpose
Inhalation procedures are prescribed by a doctor in case of diseases of the upper or lower respiratory tract. They are most effective for such ailments:
- ORZ;
- rhinitis;
- bronchitis;
- asthma;
- tonsillitis;
- pneumonia.
Due to availability, ease of use and high efficiency, inhalation therapy can be carried out without a doctor's supervision. Modern nebulizers (inhalers) are verycompact and convenient, so even a child can use them without assistance. However, in order to make a choice, you need to know what inhalers are.
Steam apparatus
The action of such an inhaler is based on the evaporation of a drug, oil or herbal infusion. The most effective device for the treatment of the upper respiratory tract. In the process of inhalation, hot steam is released at a temperature of 50-65 degrees. It dilates blood vessels, penetrates into the deep layers of tissues, has a healing and analgesic effect.
However, steam inhalations have a number of contraindications. The procedure cannot be performed in the following cases:
- high temperature in a patient (above 37.5 degrees);
- diseases of the circulatory system;
- tuberculosis;
- various heart diseases.
Ultrasonic inhaler
This type of device sprays a drug solution in the form of small aerosol particles, which, when inhaled, enter the deepest layers of the lungs. Droplets are sprayed using ultrasound. As a result of vibrations of the membranes, the liquid turns into an aerosol and is pushed out by the compressor under pressure.
The compactness of the device allows you to use it at home. Some models have special nozzles for convenience and accurate penetration of drugs into all layers of the respiratory tract
Device efficiency
During the selection process, many users think about which inhaler is best. Feedback from owners whoregularly resort to the help of such an apparatus, have a positive character. The ultrasonic inhaler is silent, has high performance and introduces a large amount of medicinal substances into the respiratory tract. This contributes to the high efficiency of the procedure.
For inhalation, you can use herbs, s alt solutions, essential oils and mineral water. In addition, many parents use this nebulizer not only for therapeutic, but also for preventive purposes, and without using a mask. It is enough to put a working device in the room where the baby plays or sleeps, and he will inhale humidified air enriched with healing vapors of essential oils and medicines.
Compressor apparatus
This inhaler is often called a jet inhaler. Its job is to form a powerful aerosol stream with the help of a compressor, which, under pressure, ejects the medicinal solution from the nebulizer chamber. There are several varieties of the device that differ in the way steam is supplied:
- continuous aerosol output;
- login activation;
- valve-controlled aerosol.
Does the compressor inhaler have disadvantages? What is the best appliance to buy for the home?
Disadvantages of this model
Of course, the compression inhaler is the most popular and has its own characteristics. It is easy to use and can be used to nebulize any medicine.
However, this nebulizer hassome shortcomings, namely:
- the device is very bulky and voluminous;
- during operation, emits noise in the limit of 70 decibels;
- works from the network, which excludes its mobility.
Despite some shortcomings, the device is widely used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system. The main advantage of the compression inhaler is its versatility and low cost, which certainly increases its popularity and demand among consumers.
Electronic mesh nebulizer
The operation of such a device is to sift the drug through a thin vibrating mesh-membrane. As a result, a dense vapor cloud is formed, consisting of the smallest particles of the agent used.
The indisputable advantages of the membrane nebulizer are its compactness, noiselessness and high efficiency of the procedure. Any drug can be used, and it is sprayed so thoroughly that it can penetrate into the most inaccessible areas of the lungs and bronchi.
Which is better: compression inhaler or membrane?
When choosing a nebulizer for a child, one should take into account not only the functions and mobility of the device, but also ease of use, as well as cost. For babies, it is best to purchase small inhalers. Which is better? Feedback from experienced parents who had the opportunity to compare several devices confirmed the high efficiency of the membrane inhaler.
This unit does not make any noise, allowinguse it during baby's sleep periods. The mobility of the device allows you to move the inhaler, combining a useful procedure with the baby's game or watching your favorite movies. The device atomizes the applied agent into the smallest particles, which ensures high efficiency of treatment.
Restrictions
Before starting the procedure, you should carefully study the instructions for use of the nebulizer. Some devices contribute to the destruction of preparations (under the influence of high temperature), so only saline solutions or essential oils are poured into them.
For example, you have purchased an ultrasonic inhaler. What solutions can be used for this device? The list of drugs used in this case is limited, since the structure of most drugs is destroyed when exposed to ultrasound.
Hormonal drugs and antibiotics are not used for the ultrasonic inhaler. The device is designed for spraying saline solutions, herbal infusions, various concentrated oils and mineral water.
Attention to function
You are faced with a choice: buy a steam or ultrasonic nebulizer? What is the best inhaler? Reviews of a negative nature were mainly collected by the steam apparatus. Under the action of high temperature, the healing effect of drugs is completely leveled, the composition is destroyed, which reduces their effectiveness. In addition, steam inhalation is contraindicated in case of fever and certain diseases.
Mainly for holding suchprocedures only essential oils are used. But the most significant drawback of this apparatus is the low content of the substance in the emitted steam. Its concentration is not enough for a full-fledged inhalation therapy, which significantly reduces the effectiveness of the treatment procedure.
Best devices
The leading positions in the ranking of the most popular devices were occupied by compression and membrane inhalers. Which is better? Reviews from consumers who have experienced the effects of these devices have been only positive. These devices are highly effective in the treatment of various diseases of the respiratory tract. An indisputable advantage is the wide range of drugs used. These inhalers do not destroy their structure, which allows the patient to obtain the maximum concentration of useful substances in the released vapor.
The disadvantage of the compression apparatus is its noise and bulkiness. The only disadvantage of the membrane inhaler is the high cost.
Use with care
What else do you need to know to make the right choice and get a good inhaler? What medicines can be used for the procedures? This is a very important nuance.
Remember that not all appliances are designed to use essential oils. Each patient, depending on a particular disease, the doctor prescribes the appropriate drug for inhalation therapy. No need to invent solutions on your own and experiment with crushed tablets or improvised means!
For dilution of the drug should be used only saline. The temperature of the applied solution should not be lower than +20 degrees. If the doctor has prescribed several different procedures, they should be carried out alternately, maintaining a gap of 15-20 minutes. Before using the nebulizer for the first time, you need to study its instructions in detail.
Procedure solutions
Inhalation is the most effective method in the fight against almost all diseases of the respiratory system. As a treatment solution, both ready-made mixtures and preparations that require preparation before the procedure can be used.
Drugs are selected based on the existing disease. For example, alkaline inhalations are suitable for thinning mucus and better sputum discharge when coughing. If you need to get rid of a runny nose, procedures using various natural oils (fir, mint, eucalyptus) are recommended. Among ready-made preparations for inhalation, Lazolvan, Kromoheksal, Ambrobene and other agents have proven themselves well
Baby machines
Most of all questions arise when buying a nebulizer from parents, because the device, when turned on, can frighten the child. How to solve this problem, which inhaler is better? Reviews of mothers who used the device for the treatment of small children contained very useful information, namely:
- the first inclusion of the inhaler and the procedure must be done in a playful way, together with mom or dad;
- it is better to choose a silent high-quality device;
- Small inhalers are recommended.
Today, many manufacturers produce children's nebulizers in the form of funny animals or favorite cartoon characters.
Toddlers really like them, distract them from the process, so the therapy takes place in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Which is better to buy an inhaler? Reviews and Recommendations
Choosing a nebulizer is not an easy task, which must be approached with all responsibility. Particular attention should be paid to the manufacturer. The most popular inhaler brands are:
- Little Doctor;
- B. Well;
- Omron;
- Microlife.
Manufacturers are many, but which inhaler is better? Feedback from consumers who have used these nebulizers suggests that people's opinions are divided. It is understandable, because, as they say, there is no comrade for the taste and color. And yet…
Omron and B. Well inhalers are of high quality, have a wide range of medicines used and have good efficacy in the treatment of respiratory diseases. However, these devices have a high cost, which slightly reduces the demand for them from consumers.
Inhalers from Little Doctor and Microlife have affordable prices and are presented in a huge assortment. These appliances are great for home use and are internationally certified. Nebulizers of these companies have proven themselves from the best sideand gained immense popularity among consumers in many countries.
The choice is yours
Of course, each device has its own advantages and disadvantages. The steam inhaler is mainly used to treat rhinitis and upper respiratory diseases. Compression and membrane have a higher cost, but are versatile and compact. When buying, pay special attention to the concentration of the substance and precise spraying - the properties that an ultrasonic inhaler has.
Which is better? It all depends on the specifics of the disease and the range of application of the device. Leading places in terms of quality, properties and efficiency are occupied by membrane and compression inhalers. It is desirable that the kit includes special nozzles for children and adults. It is better if they are made of silicone material, without a strong smell.
Also an important criterion when choosing a nebulizer is the presence of two or three modes, with which you can control the size of the emitted particles. And if you are buying an inhaler for a child, then pay attention to children's models made in the form of funny animals. Then the baby will gladly agree to the procedure.
When choosing a company, it is better to give preference to the leading manufacturers of nebulizers. Although their products have a high cost, such models will serve for many years, eliminating serious ailments. After all, the most valuable thing we have is he alth, and it’s not worth saving on it!
