Rumors: For cough and asthma, using a nebulizer is very effective, but it will become addictive, and I will never be able to do it again.
Truth: Atomization therapy is only a treatment method, and it is not addictive in itself.
A nebulizer, also called an inhaler, is a medical device that delivers aerosolized medication into the respiratory tract. Sometimes, for the purpose of humidification, normal saline is also used instead of drugs. Nebulizers can be used to treat asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and other ailments. It turns a liquid inhaler into a fine mist and delivers it directly to the site where administration is desired, such as the trachea, lungs, and sinuses.
At present, the use of nebulizers is becoming more and more extensive. In addition to medical institutions, there are also some models of nebulizers that can be used at home. The popularity of nebulizers has also made many people worry about a question, will daily use of nebulizers cause addiction or physiological dependence?
Although the type and dose of medication inhaled with a nebulizer varies from person to person, The nebulizer itself is not addictive. And if the symptoms are severe or the cure is difficult, long-term use of the nebulizer is very safe, or even necessary, and we don’t need to worry about the so-called addiction problem.
There are three main types of nebulizers: jet, mesh, and ultrasonic.
Jet nebulizers, also known as compressor nebulizers, use air pressure to form a fine mist of inhaled material, which is then ejected. The advantage of this nebulizer is that it can be used with most inhalers and is relatively easy to maintain. The downside of a jet atomizer is that it is noisier than other types of atomizers, due to the use of a compressor. Although some models have a silent design, you should be careful about noise if you need to use it in public or late at night.
Mesh nebulizers use vibrations to push the inhaler through the mesh-like pores, creating a fine mist. The advantage of this type of nebulizer is that it can be used without keeping the upper body upright, so inhalation therapy can be performed in a lying position. In addition, it has the characteristics of light weight, compact structure and easy portability. The mesh atomizer works with low noise, and there is no problem of disturbing people in the middle of the night or when going out. But its downside is the limited variety of inhalants that can be used compared to jet nebulizers.
Ultrasonic nebulizers use ultrasonic vibrations to aerosolize inhalers and produce a fine mist. The advantage of this type of atomizer is that it is powerful and suitable for prolonged use. But its structure limits miniaturization, so the ultrasonic nebulizer is more suitable for use at home. If there is a need to carry it with you, it is best to use a lightweight model such as a mesh type. Another disadvantage of ultrasonic nebulizers is that they are generally more difficult to clean than other types of nebulizers, and like mesh nebulizers, the available inhalers are limited.
Finally, no matter which nebulizer you use, you need to consult your doctor beforehand.
This article is produced by the “Science Refuting Platform” (ID: Science_Facts). Please indicate the source for reprinting.