Overview Of Inhalation Therapy
The preferred modern treatment of respiratory diseases is with inhalation therapy, where the medicine is not taken as a tablet or liquid by mouth (orally), but is breathed in, or inhaled. Relief is felt from where the disease originates – the lungs. This type of therapy is also known as local or topical therapy.
Inhalation therapy is used for treating the respiratory disorders and conditions. This is also called respiratory therapy. The goal of this therapy is to improve lung functioning and breathing for alleviating the chronic respiratory diseases, like bronchitis, asthma, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).
Generally, the type of inhalation therapy administered depends upon the stage and type of the respiratory disorder. Usually, oxygen therapy is given to patients in the advanced stages of COPD as decrease in oxygen levels is indicated in blood.
Inhalation Devices
Inhaled therapy is effective only when the inhaled drug particles reach the lungs and can deliver their effects there. Only very small particles, a few micrometers wide, can penetrate deeply into the lungs through the respiratory tract. This medication inhalation is done with the help of inhaler devices. An essential feature of these devices is that they release of the drug into fine, reachable particles. The inhaler device generates an aerosol which can immediately be inhaled. Three different aerosol production systems are mainly in use:
- Pressurized Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs)
- Jet and Ultrasonic Nebulizers
- Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs)
If you do not feel comfortable with your inhalation device or feel uncertain, you can ask your doctor for simpler alternatives or systems with good control option. On the following pages you will find an overview of the current inhalation devices available.
Source: www.thepcrj.org