Finding the right nebuliser
Our lungs work continuously throughout the day to get oxygen to every part of the body. We take around 25,000 breaths everyday which transfers oxygen into our bloodstream and exhales waste gas when we breathe out. When someone has lung problems, this affects oxygen intake which can cause breathlessness and can compromise respiratory function. Nebulisers are extremely useful devices to help with the treatment of lung problems.
Nebulisers transform prescribed liquid medicine into a very fine mist which is easily inhaled via a mask or mouthpiece. Nebulisers are used when larger doses of medicine needs to be inhaled into the lungs or when an inhaler alone isn’t an adequate form of treatment.
Because the nebuliser is efficient at instantly providing medicine directly to the lungs, it’s an invaluable device for treating patients living with chronic conditions or acute conditions.
Factors to think of when choosing a nebuliser:
Given the variety of nebulisers for sale, it’s worth considering the following points when making up your mind as to which one to buy.
1. Particle size
Nebulisers all convert liquid medicine into a fine mist, but they vary in how small the particles in the mist are. Look out for ‘MMAD’ on the packaging as this stands for Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter – in other words, particle size. Generally speaking, if the particle size is smaller, it can reach deeper into the lung, also known as the lower respiratory tract. If the particle size is larger, it will deposit in the upper respiratory tract.
There are two types of respiratory problems: upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTI).
| Upper RTI’s | Lower RTI’s |
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Upper RTI -> large particle size is ideal
Lower RTI -> small particle size is idea
2. Frequency of use:
If you are looking to use the nebuliser away from home or multiple times a day, you may want to consider a small, portable nebuliser that is convenient for carrying around with you for when it’s needed. The Rossmax Handheld Piston Nebuliser (NH60) or the Rossmax Mesh Nebuliser (NC200) are ideal for this.
3. Age of the user:
For younger children and babies, the on-demand ampoule that comes with the MediGenix Piston Nebuliser (MGX-017), is useful as the flow of medicine can be controlled with a trigger mechanism to prevent wastage when the child is moving around.
4. Sound level:
Some nebulisers operate more quietly than others which may be something that influences your decision. Refer to the decibels on the packaging to guide your decision. The Rossmax Mesh Nebuliser is our silent nebuliser whilst the piston nebulisers have a low humming sound when operating.
5. Nebulisation rate:
The nebulisation rate refers to how much medicine can be administered per minute. The higher the rate, the quicker the medicine is transformed. The Rossmax Handheld Piston Nebuliser can adjust the nebulisation rate from 0.08ml/min (closed) to 0.2ml/min (fully open) with a consistent particle size of less than 2.6μm. This is useful for young patients with a lower breathing capacity.
6. Price:
Within our range of nebulisers, the piston nebulisers are more cost effective whilst the mesh nebuliser is more expensive. All are reliable and deliver medicine directly to the lungs – please explore our range of nebulisers here to help you decide which model would be most suitable for your needs.