Asthma

[sanjon]

Can a Nebulizer be used on a daily or weekly basis to keep Asthma in check? Or is it just for a emergency situation?

[Joseph]

In medicine, a nebulizer is a device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs.
There are different types of nebulizers, jet nebulizers, which are also called "atomizers". Jet nebulizers are connected by tubing to a compressed air source that causes air or oxygen to blast at high velocity through a liquid medicine to turn it into an aerosol, which is then inhaled by you.
Doctors commonly prescribe metered-dose inhalers, because these are more convenient. However, jet nebulizers are used in hospitals for patients who have difficulty using inhalers.
Newer, compact electronic nebulizers are also available. These nebulizers use vibration of membranes or meshes to produce the aerosol and are more portable since they do not need the compressed air source that accompanies jet nebulizers. Electronic nebulizers are more expensive.
Nebulizers accept their medicine in the form of a liquid solution, which is often loaded into the device upon use. Bronchodilators such as salbutamol (albuterol USAN) are often used and sometimes additionally ipratropium. Corticosteroids are also used.
The aerosolized medicine is inhaled through a tube-like mouthpiece.
After use with corticosteroids, it is possible for you to develop a yeast infection in the mouth (thrush) or hoarseness of voice. To avoid these adverse effects, you should rinse your mouth.
So, a nebulizer IS a device, not the medicine itself. It is a method of administering several chemicals. You can ask your provider to get the answer to whether your nebulizer should be used on a daily basis, or just in case of "firefighting". It depends on the medicine it contains.
Take care!