Aerosol Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Aerosols are particles of substances in the air that can be in the form of dust, mist, clouds, or smoke. Medically, aerosol can be used as a therapy or medicine by inserting aerosol particles into the body through the airway. In the medical world, aerosol drugs are generally in the form of spray or steam. Aerosol drugs are usually given through inhalation therapy (inhalation) using a nebulizer (evaporation) and inhalers. This procedure, known as aerosol therapy, is usually used as a treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a number of diseases that attack the lungs in the long term, which is usually caused by a combination of several respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Generally, aerosol devices work the same way to deliver drugs quickly and directly to the respiratory tract. The content of drugs used in inhalation therapy includes bronchodilators to relieve respiratory tract (bronchus), corticosteroids to reduce inflammatory reactions, antibiotics, anticholinergics to help relax respiratory muscles, and mucolytics to thin phlegm.

Get to know Aerosol Therapy Devices

The following are two types of devices used in aerosol therapy:

Inhaler

Aerosol inhaler therapy is a hand-held inhaler that works by spraying drugs through a funnel or mask. Inhalers work faster than oral drugs that have to go through the process of blood flow first. Aerosol inhaler therapy is available in 3 types, namely:

• Meter dose inhaler

This is a hand-held device for inserting asthma medication directly into the lungs in the form of aerosols. You must press this device to exhale the drug into the lungs.

• Dry powder inhaler

This device has the same function, which is to put drugs into the respiratory tract. The difference with a meter dose inhaler is that you simply inhale this device to put the drug directly into your lungs without pressing anything.

• Soft mist inhaler

This is the newest type of device that converts drugs into the form of steam, thereby maximizing the drug that enters the lungs.

Nebulizer

Aerosol nebulizer therapy is an aerosol inhalation therapy device that converts liquid drugs into steam that you can breathe. Nebulizer is less comfortable to carry when traveling because the use of this tool takes several tens of minutes. Your doctor or medical officer can teach you how to use this tool. There are three types of nebulizers, namely:

• Jet

This is an aerosol nebulizer therapy device that has been discovered for a long time, it uses compressed air to produce fine steam.

• Ultrasonic

This device is a newer type of jet, and uses ultrasonic vibrations to produce steam from liquid drugs.

• Vibrating mesh

This aerosol therapy device is the latest and most expensive of the two previous devices. Because the shape is the most concise and almost noiseless.

Aerosol Inhaler Or Aerosol Nebulizer?

The use of aerosol nebulizer or inhaler therapy tends to refer to your doctor's recommendations, comfort level, and your economic and insurance conditions. Most people with COPD do use an inhaler because of its compact nature so that it can be carried anywhere and stored in your pocket. Inhalers are generally able to work quickly to deliver drugs to your lungs in a few inhalations or minutes.

Tips for Using an Inhaled Aerosol Therapy Device

• Make sure you understand how to use it, by asking your doctor or medical staff where you buy it.
• Understand when to use it.
• Be aware of how many doses are needed.
• Be sure to know the types of drugs used in aerosol therapy

The use of inhaled aerosol therapy with a nebulizer and inhaler must be in accordance with the doctor's prescription, regarding the drug, dosage, and time of use. Although bronchodilator inhalers that are commonly used in asthma sufferers are sold freely, it is recommended to make sure to go back to the doctor regarding their use according to your condition. Inhaled aerosol therapy is one of the mainstay treatments to help reduce complaints due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is effective in dealing with and reducing the intensity of attacks and the severity of the disease. This therapy also improves the health of people with COPD and increases their ability to exercise.