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| Nebulizers are used when breathing difficulties become severe | Photo: Pixabay |
Which is better? Inhaler or nebulizer. Winter is a difficult time for many people, especially those who suffer from asthma or respiratory problems. Compared to other seasons, winter is cold, dusty, and dry, which increases fever, cough, and cold. Patients with asthma or respiratory problems also experience increased breathing problems.
Patients with asthma or respiratory problems can be seen using both inhalers and nebulizers to solve their breathing problems.
There are differences in the way the two devices work as well as the way they are used.
Inhaler
An inhaler is a small, easily portable device that contains medication. The medicine is simply inhaled using a special technique called pressure.
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| Inhaler is a small, easily portable device | Photo: Pixabay |
Usually, asthma or respiratory problems patients use inhalers regularly to prevent their breathing problems from becoming too severe.
Nebulizer
A nebulizer is an electric device larger than an inhaler, specifically one that contains a liquid medicine mixture and is inhaled through a mask.
Nebulizers are used for young children, the elderly, and very sick patients. They are also used when breathing difficulties become severe.
Which one should You use?
- An inhaler is a small device. It is easily portable, affordable, and releases a certain amount of medicine with one press, reducing the risk of overdosing. On the other hand, a nebulizer is larger than an inhaler, so it cannot be used everywhere.
- Compared to inhalers, nebulizers are easier to use and do not require special techniques.
- Inhalers cannot be used properly in young children, the elderly, and very sick patients; a nebulizer should be used in those cases.
- Nebulizers are electric devices, so they require electricity or batteries to operate. Inhalers do not require these.
- Inhalers are affordable, while nebulizers are durable.
- The special mask must be cleaned after using the nebulizer, otherwise, bacteria, viruses, or fungi from the mask can enter the air and cause various diseases in the respiratory system.
It is best to leave the decision of whether to use an inhaler or a nebulizer to the doctor. The patient's age, severity of breathing problems, and individual differences vary, which should be decided in consultation with the doctor.