How do I use a "jet nebulizer"?
Jet nebulizers are the most common nebulizers used to treat children and in some cases older adults with inhaled medications. The most common inhaled medications are the inhaled cortical steroids – one being budesonide – and the bronchodilators such as Abuterol that are then able to be delivered to patients who can't coordinate the use of a metered dose inhaler or dry powder inhalor. The key with nebulizers is first that when you use the nebulizers that they be kept clean and sanitary, that after they're used they're cleaned because the nebulized medication gets moist and there can be infections processes going on if the nebulizer is not cleaned properly. Second is when you give the medication it's important that the patient have a closed system. Very often babies and toddlers are fussy or irritable and the parents will sometimes use what we call a “blow-by” technique where they'll just blow by in front of their face. In fact, none of the medication gets into the airways by using a blow-by technique. I certainly wouldn't blow by anesthesia if I wanted to put you under anesthesia, I would put a tight mask over your face or have you use a mouth piece but with your lips tightly on it. So if you're not using the nebulizer correctly you're not going to get the beneficial effect. Make sure your doctor goes over with you how to use the nebulizer correctly and that you get the best effect that you can from the medication being administered.
