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Nebulizers | AeroChambers | Spacers | Saline | Aerobika
Asthma & COPD can be difficult to manage if we don’t approach the illness in a proactive and methodological manner. Do your puffers not seem to be effective? Can’t get relief? Are you not using certain puffers because they “don’t do much” or you "don’t feel any different”?
The #1 reason for the ongoing lack of relief is poor or no education regarding the use of the puffers.
You may be thinking “How can you use a puffer incorrectly?” Ironically, working in a Pulmonary Functions Lab I have seen that the majority of patients still struggle to manage their Asthma or COPD for multiple years. When I mention and ask how they use their puffers, 95% of them demonstrate incorrect and inefficient methods of administration. This is not their fault. When I go over the proper method of inhaler administration, most say they have never been told this or worse some have said certain health professionals have fed them very wrong and opposite information as to what is in literature. Let’s dig deeper…
If you have been prescribed Respiratory Medications, likeliness is that it is one of these medications listed below:
There are 2 types of Puffers. There are Metered-Dose Inhalers & Dry-Powder Inhalers.
Dry Powder Inhalers (DPI)
These come in many different forms, either as Disks (Ellipta, Diskhalers), Twist Turbohalers and some others. These need to be taken orally and without a spacer. Rinsing your mouth and throat afterwards is generally a good habit to have.
Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI)
Just to name a few popular MDIs:
Ventolin (Salbutamol) , Atrovent (Ipratropium), Salmeterol (Serevent), Flovent (Fluticasone), Advair (Fluticasone & Salmeterol), Symbicort (Budesonide & Formoterol)
If you have a MDI, it is very likely you may be using the puffers incorrectly. For a Visual, this is what it is supposed to look like:
Did you notice anything? If you mentioned the Spacer (AeroChamber) then you are correct! So, What is the purpose of the spacer? The spacer is a tool to maximize medication deposition in the distal ends of the lungs where the inflammation and bronchospasms are taking place! How does the spacer do that?
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Controlled technique by allowing better patient control for administration of medication
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The AeroChamber slows down the particles allowing for slower and more effective medication deposition
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The Chamber provides an audible sound to ensure the breath being taken is not too fast and forced.
The other factors to take into consideration are:
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Full exhalation PRIOR to puffer administration. This ensures your lungs are completely empty optimizing the distance the medication can travel. A simple step often overlooked.
Breath Hold is extremely important. Some of the medication will stay suspended in the air and will need time to deposit into the mucosal layer of the bronchi and bronchioles.
Without the AeroChamber,
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90% of the medication is deposited in the oropharynx (Back of the throat)
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5% is able to travel to the large airways (Bronchi)
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3% of the medication is deposited in the distal areas of the lungs where swelling is occurring
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2% of the medication is exhaled due to the heterodisperse nature of the MDI particles.
Nebulizers:
Nebulizers provide a convenient method and ease of use. Nebulizers shouldn’t be used as a primary source for on-going management of your breathing unless it is specifically indicated by your physician.
While Nebulizers can be easy to use, the aerosols they create are heterodisperse and overall larger particles than MDI. Large particles tend to deposit in the oral cavity and trachea and are not able to travel to the distal ends of the lungs. They require liquid medication vials and 0.9% saline solution as a dilutive agent to meet the minimum requirement of fluid in the nebulizer cup.
Although nebulizers are less effective than MDIs with spacers, there are certain situations where it could be beneficial such as:
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Severe short of breath unable to perform MDIs properly
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Decreased Cognitive function
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Children unable to perform the maneuver properly
There are 5 great, reputable Nebulizers available.
Medication Compliance
Not taking your puffers on time and because “they don’t do anything”?
Always ask Why am I Taking THIS medication? Taking medication without knowing what it is for or what it does may be one of the worst decisions one can make for their health.
There are a few different categories of respiratory drugs including:
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Short-Acting Beta Agonists (SABA)
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Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists (Anticholinergics)
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Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABA)
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Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists (LAMA)
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Corticosteroids
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Combination Puffers (Mix of Corticosteroids with LABA or LAMA)
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Biologics
What do they mean?
The Short Acting Beta Agonists or Muscarinic medication is often referred to as Rescue Inhalers. General onset of action is <5 minutes.
Long Acting Muscarinic or Long Acting Beta Agonists are for mainstay treatment with a much longer onset of action and longer acting medication.
Corticosteroids and combination puffers assist in reducing and preventing inflammation. The onset of action is much slower and there is no notable effect right away. There will be notable differences with chronic, on-going use of these inhalers.
Biologics are not common and are often used as a last resort, generally for Auto-Immune situations.
Are you getting relief with your puffers? Stop making breathing harder for yourself and get an AeroChamber! Yes they can be pricey ($35-$50), the question is how much would you pay to be able to breathe better and have an overall better quality of life? Remember, the more swelling that happens, the more damage is being done to the lungs. Getting Asthma & COPD controlled is the first step to a better you and lung health.
AeroChambers don’t have to look like hospital equipment! Check out our latest addition to the AeroChamber Family: The All-New AeroChamber2Go
Take your inhaler with your spacer anywhere you go! Get effective treatment anywhere, anytime. Always in-stock! Order your AeroChamber Today!
Insurance Coverage: Many insurance providers will have AeroChambers as an eligible medical item. Call your insurance today and find out!
Respiratory Devices
ProNeb & VIOS Stationary Nebulizer
Adult | Pediatric
Quality You Can Count On
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The Vios® nebulizer system sets the industry standard in optimized aerosol delivery for at home use. The combination of a compact, ergonomic design coupled with the superior performance of the PARI nebulizer cup makes the VIOS the go-to system for both healthcare professionals and patients. PARI Vios® is available in both standard and pediatric configurations.
Maximum Pressure of Compressor
34 PSI (2.3 bar)
Maximum Litre Flow of Compressor
8.5 LPM
Nominal Operating Pressure
18 PSI (1.2 bar)
Nominal Air Flow
4.5 LPM
Weight
3 lbs (1300 grams)
Dimensions (L, W H)
6.5 x 6.5 x 3.75 in
Compressor Warranty
5 years
1When used with a PARI LC reusable nebulizer.
Vios Nebulizer Accessories
MedPro Nebulizer | Stationary Nebulizer | Adult & Pediatric
A simple and affordable option that Nebulizes liquid medicine using compressed air technology, for treatment of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Kit includes:
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Adult and child mask
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Mouthpiece
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Nebulizer unit
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Tubing
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Nebulizer chamber
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Replacement air filters
Technical specifications:
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Medication capacity: 6 ml
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Particle size: 0.5 to 5 µm
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Average nebulization rate: 0.2 - 0.5 ml/min
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Operation pressure: 35 to 45 Psi
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Air flow: 6 - 9 lpm
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Sound level: 60 dB
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Weight: 1.9 kg
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PM15 EASYAIR COMPRESSOR
Stationary Nebulizer | Adult & Pediatric
Precision Medical's PM15 EasyAir Compressor (an average of 37% smaller than other units) fits into clinical areas where space is at a minimum while delivering the same power and flow (13 L/min at 50 psi)
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