What is a Nebulizer?

There are several ways to deliver medicine to the lungs, such as inhalers. Nebulizers are another type of drug delivery device that turns the medicine into a fine mist that is breathed in. Nebulizers are used to treat a variety of lung conditions, such as wheezing and chest tightness.

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Use and applications of nebulizers

Nebulizers can be used to relieve symptoms of various lung conditions by administering both quick-relief medicines and long-term control medicines. Most inhaled medications relieve symptoms such as wheeziness, breathlessness, and tightness in the chest. They can also prevent or slow the accumulation of phlegm and mucus.

Inhalers are a common way of administering drugs, but nebulizers have distinct advantages in several situations. In an emergency situation, such as when breathing becomes difficult and a high dose of medication is needed or when antibiotics are needed against an infection, nebulizers should be used. In these cases, it is done by paramedics or hospital staff.

Nebulizers can also be used in less severe cases at home by individual users. Inhalers are less effective than nebulizers, so nebulizers can be used if the condition it is treating is severe. For example, conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be treated with an inhaler to the same effectiveness. However, conditions such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis can be better treated with nebulizers.

Some other health conditions, such as arthritis, can prevent patients from using inhalers. Furthermore, nebulizers are used for young children and babies. Nebulizers can deliver drugs such as bronchodilators to open the airways, hypertonic saline solutions to loosen up mucus, and antibiotics to treat or prevent infections.

How do nebulizers work?

Nebulizers work by converting a solution into a fine spray, which makes it easier to inhale the drugs. All nebulizers are electric- or battery-powered, unlike handheld inhalers. The fine spray is administered through a mouthpiece or a full facemask, depending on the patient and the requirements. The nebulizer typically has to be used for around 5 to 15 minutes.

There are different types of nebulizers, but most use oxygen, compressed air, or ultrasonic power to convert the liquid drug to a gas form. Ultrasonic nebulizers tend to be more expensive and are typically not used outside of a hospital setting. However, most nebulizers are small and easy to use.

Each time a nebulizer is used, liquid medicine needs to be added to the machine. It is important that for the duration of use, breathing is only done through the mouth. Nose clips are recommended to ensure this. While many can use a simple mouthpiece, fill masks are usually recommended for children.

Nebulizers and COVID-19

COVID-19 is a serious lung disease that is currently spreading around the world. As a lung disease, nebulizers have been used in self-medicating and professional settings to manage lung conditions alongside COVID-19. However, there are some concerns about this.

Nebulizers lead to the creation of aerosol particles, which can carry bacteria and viruses deep into the lungs. Transmission of infection by droplet nuclei and aerosols can increase during nebulizer treatment due to the high concentration of aerosols.

Furthermore, there is the possibility that many aerosols are generated that can spread over longer distances than would otherwise naturally occur when they are exhaled from the device. Therefore, while the nebulizer device itself may not spread disease, the effects of droplet formation can lead to transmission of COVID-19 to bystander hosts.

This has caused debate over the use of nebulizers in managing COVID-19. On the one hand, medicine administered this way may be critical in managing the symptoms of COVID-19 and ensuring patients can breathe. On the other hand, the use of nebulizers may contribute to the already widespread infection of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is also some concern over the immunosuppressive qualities of many inhaled corticosteroids. This could contribute to recommending against the use of nebulizers for patients with COVID-19 or those in proximity to it. However, some other evidence suggests that nebulizers and inhaled corticosteroids can have antiviral properties by blocking viral replication of SARS-CoV-2.

The general advice in many places now is that nebulizer therapy should be reconsidered and only used when absolutely necessary. This would entail only using nebulizers when patients have an impending respiratory arrest or are life-threatening when patients are uncooperative or unable to use inhalers, and if patients have a history of poor responses to inhalers.

Further Reading

• All Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 Content
• What Mutations of SARS-CoV-2 are Causing Concern?
• What is the Clinical Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Patients?
• Can Pets Get COVID-19?
• An Overview of the SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

Written by

Sara Ryding

Sara is a passionate life sciences writer who specializes in zoology and ornithology. She is currently completing a Ph.D. at Deakin University in Australia which focuses on how the beaks of birds change with global warming.