Which inhaler is best for the child: ultrasonic or compressor?

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

1. Laryngitis.
2. Chronic bronchitis and pharyngitis, bronchial asthma.
3. False groats.
4. Rhinitis, sinusitis.
5. Acute respiratory diseases with symptoms such as dryness, cough, swelling, or sore throat.

Types and purposes 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 inhalation inhalers, anyone can do their own without visiting doctors or special offices. 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 consider 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 most often used 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, dilates the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and accelerating metabolism. In addition, the procedure has a local anesthetic effect.

Disadvantages and contraindications of steam inhalations

In order to answer the question of which inhaler is best for the child, attention should be paid to the contraindications of this or that apparatus. For example, steam inhalations are contraindicated at a body temperature of 37.5 ° C and above. Limited also with steam inhalations and the choice of medicines, because when heated, most of the nutrients are simply destroyed. Volatile solutions are used with a boiling point of not more than 100 ° C. 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 to 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 drugs with a size of less 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 quick recovery.

Nebulizers are divided into compressor, ultrasonic and mesh-nebulizers by their features and principle of operation. A more detailed description of them will make it possible to understand which inhaler is best for the child (ultrasound or compressor).

Compressor nebulizers

Compressor for inhalations is the most common, so to speak, standard or standard. With a low price and simply huge demand, compressor nebulizers are able to spray practical any drug 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 shortcomings of the compressor inhaler is worth noting the large dimensions, binding to the electrical system and just a terrible noise of up to 70 decibels.

Ultrasonic nebulizer

The principle of operation of this inhaler is to spray the therapeutic drug 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 place 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 old or slightly more is not important.

Mesh-nebulizers

In this apparatus, 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 particularly 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.

Selecting an inhaler is necessary, relying on the individual characteristics of the child's body. Any children's inhalation device will consist of a mouthpiece, a nosepiece and a 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 once again 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 air flows passing through the chamber in which the drug solution is located. A huge disadvantage of the compressor inhaler is noise and its large dimensions.

The ultrasonic device, on the contrary, can be used at home, and on the road or some 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 fastest and easiest delivery of medicinal substances to the children's body occurs.

Steam and 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.