Aerosol therapy via nebulization systems makes it possible to effectively treat severe asthma without leaving home.
- The majority of asthma patients use an aerosol (bronchodilator) to treat their breathing difficulties.
- However, for the most severe patients, it is necessary to resort to other methods of administration by inhalation.
- Aerosol therapy via nebulization systems is a good solution for effectively treating asthma in acute situations.
The Antadir federation takes stock of the techniques for managing severe asthma in the patient’s home without aerosol.
“4 million French people have asthma, or 7% of the population. The most common chronic disease, asthma still causes 1,000 deaths per year in those under 65 and requires an average of 600,000 days of hospitalization each year”we can read in a press release.
Our federation “thus highlights the treatment of the most severe asthmatic patients by aerosol therapy via nebulization systems”, continues the institution.
Severe asthma: what is nebulization?
The majority of asthma patients use an aerosol (bronchodilator) to treat their breathing difficulties. This device allows active substances to be delivered directly into the respiratory tract. However, for the most severe patients, it is necessary to resort to other methods of administration by inhalation.
Aerosol therapy via nebulization systems is a very widespread solution for effectively treating asthma in acute situations. “The principle of nebulization is simple: it allows a medicinal substance to be administered in the form of fine liquid particles suspended in a gas (aerosol) easily and quickly for a targeted action”, explains the Antadir federation. “The treatment is inhaled by the patient through a mask or mouthpiece placed over the nose and mouth. They do not need to breathe deeply, they simply inhale and exhale calmly for ten to fifteen minutes to inhale the medicine”, she adds.
Depending on the nebulizer used, the diameter of the droplets varies and thus makes it possible to adapt to the patient by targeting more precisely the place where the active substance will be deposited in the respiratory system (lower airways, upper airways, alveoli).
Severe asthma: how does nebulization work?
Depending on the patient’s age, weight and severity level of their asthma, setting up home nebulization requires determining:
– the duration of treatment;
– the number of sessions required each day;
– the active ingredient(s) to be administered.
The deposition of particles takes place according to one of the following 3 physical mechanisms: impaction, sedimentation and diffusion.
“There are many models available on the market which are divided into three types: pneumatic nebulizers, ultrasonic nebulizers and vibrating screen nebulizers. These three categories are differentiated by their operating principle” conclude the specialists.
