A nebulizer has been ordered for you or someone in your family. This device is used to deliver a liquid medication such as a bronchodilator to improve your breathing. These units are very simple to use and the care needed to maintain them is minimal. Your Technician will show you how to use the machine and where the filter is located.

The most important aspect of these treatments is that you should stick to the schedule the doctor has ordered. If they order four times per day, that’s how many you should take. Depending on the medication, it will generally last between 4-6 hours. To prevent your breathing difficulty from getting worse, try not to extend the time between treatments. Treatments taken before bedtime will help you sleep better and taking one right after you get up in the morning will help clear your airway after sleeping.

The best method for using a nebulizer is to sit up straight, breathe slowly and deeply with a breath hold for a few seconds before you breathe out. The medication typically works within a few moments so that as the treatment continues, the medication works deeper into your lungs.

You may use the mouthpiece or a face mask to take the treatment. As long as you are breathing in the mist the method doesn’t really matter.

If you are treating an infant or toddler, you can also use the “blowby” method. In this case you can remove the mask or mouthpiece, leave the “ T” piece on, cover one side opening and “shoot” the mist into the face of the patient. Direct the flow so it is not going into the patient’s eyes, and hold a couple of inches from the nose and mouth area. The best judge of how effective the treatment was is to see if the breathing is a little less labored or is the wheezing a little less pronounced. Stick to the ordered times and let the Doctor know if the treatments do not appear to be working.