SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) If you’re one of the 35 million people living with a chronic lung disease in the United States, the form of treatment you receive can impact your health outcomes and quality of life.
That’s why the American Lung Association has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the potential benefits of nebulized therapy, and aims to encourage conversations between health care providers and patients. Here they are providing answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are nebulizers? A nebulizer converts liquid medicine into a mist that you inhale to get medicine deep into the lungs. It can be used if you have a disease such as asthma, COPD or bronchiectasis.
What are the benefits of nebulizers? Nebulizers can deliver all classes of medication to treat all stages of chronic lung disease, including certain medications only available via nebulizer. Most insurance companies provide a nebulizer and the nebulized medication may be a more affordable option to treat your lung disease. Plus, they are easy to clean, maintain and use. Multiple studies show that people living with chronic lung disease fail to use their inhalers properly and therefore, are not getting the optimal dose of medicine to treat their disease. Like driving a car with a manual transmission, inhaler technique can be complicated to learn. For example, some inhalers require breathing out completely first, inhaling at the right pace, activating the inhaler at just the right time, and holding your breath for 5-10 seconds after each dose. A nebulizer however is more akin to driving a car with automatic transmission. When you use a nebulizer, the directions are simple – breathe normally. That’s why nebulizers can be an especially effective alternative for young children, older adults, those who struggle to use an inhaler and those who require a higher dose of medication to effectively manage their symptoms.
Can you rely on nebulizers while traveling and in emergencies? Fortunately, it is easy to travel with a nebulizer. While some nebulizers are stationary and plug into an outlet, newer, smaller and portable nebulizers can be plugged into an outlet, car adaptor or operated with a battery pack, making them handy not only during travel, but also in power outages and emergencies. When flying, check with the airline on how to properly pack your nebulizer, and if you’re traveling out of the country, make sure you have the appropriate adapter so your device will be compatible with power outlets at your destination. For a stationary device, it’s important to have a backup plan like a generator so that you can use your device if the power goes out.
What resources are available to learn more about nebulizers? The American Lung Association hosts numerous patient resources on its site, including videos on how to use and clean a nebulizer. New resources for healthcare providers, including a hub to access nebulized therapy videos and tools, are provided in partnership with Verona, Viatris and Theravance Biopharma. For more information and to access these resources, visit Lung.org/nebulizer.
At the end of the day, determining if a nebulizer is a good treatment option for you starts with a conversation between you and your healthcare provider. The most important thing is knowing how to properly take your medication – via nebulizer or inhaler – so that you get the best possible relief from your symptoms.
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