Myths

MYTH 1

NEBULIZATION CAUSES ADDICTION

FACT

• Nebulization does not cause addiction. Nebulization uses the same medicines that are present in the tablets or syrups used for oral treatment; the only difference is that to enable nebulization, these medicines are provided in a liquid form. Nebulization simply converts this liquid medication into a mist or an aerosol so that it can be inhaled easily.

MYTH 2

NEBULIZATION NEEDS HIGH DOSAGE OF MEDICINE

FACT

• Nebulization does not need high doses of medicine. Nebulization converts liquid medicine into a mist or an aerosol form so that it directly reaches the lungs and the airways. Since the medicine reaches directly into the lungs, the dose of medicine required is lower than that present in tablets or syrups to give the same level of therapeutic effect.
• In fact, 10 to 20 times lower dosage is needed in nebulization than with the oral or intravenous method.

MYTH 3

NEBULIZATION CAUSES LOTS OF SIDE-EFFECTS

FACT

• Nebulization requires less amount of medicine as the medicine gets converted into a mist or aerosol form that directly reaches the lungs and the airways unlike oral medicines (syrups or tablets), which first go into the stomach and then get distributed in the body where they can cause side effects.

MYTH 4

NEBULIZATION TAKES A LONGER TIME TO HAVE AN EFFECT

FACT

• As the medication is delivered directly to the diseased or affected area, it actually acts in a shorter time compared with oral treatments such as syrups or tablets.

MYTH 5

NEBULIZATION IS USED ONLY BY PEOPLE WHO ARE ASTHMATIC

FACT

• Nebulization is not confined to asthmatics alone. It can be used to provide speedy relief from congestion, wheezing and breathing difficulty in many respiratory conditions, including bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and some chronic respiratory non-communicable diseases and infections. It can be especially beneficial in infants, small children and elderly individuals who face difficulties with the use of other devices. But nebulization should be given only if recommended by the doctor.

MYTH 6

NEBULIZATION IS VERY COMPLICATED TO PERFORM

FACT

• The procedure of nebulization is simple and can be carried out at home too as per the doctor’s recommendations.

MYTH 7

NEBULIZATION MAY LEAD TO REDUCED AND INCORRECT DOSAGE AS MOST OF THE MEDICINE MIST CAN ESCAPE INTO THE SURROUNDINGS

FACT

• Using a mouthpiece correctly or wearing a face mask that fits tightly will ensure that the full medicine dose reaches your airways and lungs, thereby providing you with speedy relief.
• For better lung intake, it is important to inhale deeply and hold the breath whenever possible.

MYTH 8

NEBULIZATION CANNOT BE USED IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

FACT

• Actually, nebulization is an effective method to deliver medicines to the lungs and airways in infants and young children. In small babies, inhaling through a nebulizer is easier than with other devices. Also, smaller doses of medicine are required compared with oral medicines, thereby reducing the risk of side effects.

MYTH 9

THE CHILD HAS TO BE SLEEPING DURING NEBULIZATION

FACT

• Nebulization should be done sitting in an upright position. You can either hold your child upright in your arms or make him/her sit in a chair. This position helps to minimize breathing difficulty and allows maximum lung expansion in order to ensure that the maximum amount of medication reaches the airways and the lungs.

MYTH 10

NEBULIZATION USING A FACE MASK IS BETTER THAN WITH A MOUTHPIECE

FACT

• A mouthpiece is better as it reduces deposition on or contact of the medicine with the facial skin or eyes and, thus, reduces the chances of side effects. It also increases the efficiency of nebulization as the medication mist is directly taken in through the mouth. If face mask is used the patient should be encouraged to breathe through the mouth and not through the nose. Nasal passage filters out the aerosol and does not allow the medicine to enter the airways.

MYTH 11

IT’S OKAY TO DO NEBULIZATION EVEN IF THE CHILD IS CRYING

FACT

• A crying child breathes in a fast and shallow manner – the inhalations are short and the exhalations are long; doing nebulization at such a time will only result in reduced intake of the mist and lower deposition of the medicine in the lungs.

MYTH 12

A NEBULIZER DOES NOT NEED MAINTENANCE

FACT

• Like with every device, your nebulizer also requires proper and timely maintenance. All the parts such as the tubing, the mouthpiece or the face mask should be checked and replaced as per the instructions provided in the device manual.
• For more details, click here.

MYTH 13

THERE IS NO NEED TO CLEAN THE NEBULIZER

FACT

• Nebulizers should be cleaned after every use and disinfected daily. All the parts should be stored in a clean and dry place.
• For more details, click here.

MYTH 14

THE NEBULIZER NEEDS TO BE CLEANED AND DISINFECTED ONLY WHEN USED

FACT

• To prevent infections, the nebulizer accessories such as the face mask, mouthpiece, baffle, filter and medication chamber (except the tubing) should be cleaned after every use and disinfected daily.

MYTH 15

THE LONGER ONE PERFORMS NEBULIZATION, THE BETTER WILL BE THE RECOVERY

FACT

• No, the effectiveness of treatment does not depend on the longer duration of nebulization. Nebulization should be carried out for the specific duration after which continuing nebulization does not impart any benefit. Typically, when you use a jet nebulizer, nebulization should not be done for more than 5–10 minutes. You should never continue nebulization till the liquid dries up in medication cup. There is always some amount of liquid medicine left behind that cannot be nebulized; considering this, the dose of the medicine is already adjusted in the respule.

MYTH 16

NEBULIZATION CAN BE USED TO TREAT A COUGH

FACT

• Nebulization should be used only if your doctor recommends it. Your cough can be due to any other cause and needs to be properly diagnosed by the doctor before he/she can make a recommendation, if needed, for the use of a nebulizer.