It was precisely the gift that individuals suffering from lung illnesses, such as asthma, had hoped for since the beginning of time when nebulizers and inhalers were brought to the world in the 1930s and 1950s, respectively, when nebulizers and inhalers were given to the globe. This meant that patients now had a convenient way to inhale the medication that was necessary to manage and treat their illness.
Nebulizers were the first medical device to be developed, and they were much loved, but they couldn’t be carried about in your pocket to work or school with you. As a result, when inhalers were developed, they soon became the preferred method of administration for individuals who need respiratory medication.
However, even Inhalers had their own set of restrictions. In order to better understand the benefits and drawbacks of the preferred inhaler, let us first examine the advantages and disadvantages of inhalers. So here are the Pros and Cons of Inhaler Use:
The Following Are The Advantages Of Inhalers:
- Quick to use and do not require electricity.
- The ability to apply medicine to oral airways immediately is particularly advantageous for asthma and COPD medications.
- Inhalers are small, light, and readily transportable in a handbag, pocket, or luggage.
- With the correct instructions, it is very easy to use.
- An Inhaler device can carry 100+ doses (1).
- Contents of the inhaler can rarely get contaminated (1).
The following are some of the drawbacks of inhalers:
- Easy to misplace due to its compact nature
- Some types of inhalers require assembly, which might not be user friendly for all.
- A proper inhaler technique needs to be followed. This may not be easy for weak patients or elderly individuals who may not be able to coordinate between pumping medicine and inhaling it.
The Following Are Some Of The Benefits Of Nebulizers:
- Nebulizers allow for the rapid administration of medication to the airways, which is excellent for those suffering from asthma and COPD. Even with airflow restriction caused by flare-ups and advanced COPD, it is simple to inhale the medication.
- Nebulizers and air compressors are less portable, but they are more likely to be found exactly where you left them which makes them an excellent backup if you can’t locate your inhaler.
The Disadvantages Of Nebulizers Are As Follows:
- The majority of air compressors need an electric power source.
- The majority of low-cost nebulizers are not readily transportable.
- Treatments with a nebulizer often take 10-20 minutes, which may be time-consuming in today’s fast-paced world.
- On an average, only 10% of the drug placed in the nebulizer reaches the lungs. Most of it is wasted by being retained in the nebulizer or released into the environment by exhalation (2).
- If the nebulizer is not cleaned properly after every use, there is a chance of being re-infected by the patient’s own bacteria or cross-infection if the device is used for another patient (3).
In conclusion, Inhalers are a wonderful option for the vast majority of people who need respiratory medication. For individuals who might benefit from them, nebulizers are a feasible alternative treatment option.
If you believe that one or the other might be beneficial to you, please contact your doctor before buying or using one.
References:
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Advantages-and-disadvantages-of-different-inhaler-devices_tbl2_26842292
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1884297/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11353915/
