What is the aerosol
The term Aerosoltherapy defines the introduction in the respiratory system, by inhalation of a medical substance in the state of "sol" for therapeutic purposes, curative and preventive.
SOL is a term that indicates a state of matter intermediate between liquid and aeriform in which solid or liquid particles are suspended in a gaseous medium, in other words the particles that compose it are not as dispersed as those of a gas, but nor as concentrated as those of a liquid substance.
As this state is realized, it must be composed of very small particle sizes, a few tenth of a micron to a few microns ; Indeed, if the particles were larger, tend to converge among themselves returning to a liquid state.
This is because each particle retains its individuality thanks to the forces of surface tension, which are inversely proportional to the size of the particle itself. The benefits arising from the state of sol are related to the huge area that the particles carry to as a whole, the effect of dispersion, and the ability to penetrate in the respiratory system, up to the late terminations of bronchial and lung alveolus.
Both these factors depend on the particle size, which is in turn linked to the progress of nebulizers technology that produce them. Their size depends on the deposition and the mucous membranes of the respiratory system that transports them. Scientific studies conducted so far indicate an optimum particle size range provided by the aerosol of between 0.5 and 8 microns. It is detected with sophisticated electronic equipment that exploit the importance of accuracy of the laser beam, that allows to calculate a value defined by the term technical MMAD (Median Aerodynamic Diameter Mass).
The aerosol is a method of ancient and natural treatment, developed by modern medical science and made with effective technology tools: the nebulizer. A nebulizer is a small plastic container (ampul) which is filled with a medicine solution. An electric compressor produces a flow of air (or oxygen) at high-speed that is pushed to the periphery of a tube containing the medical solution, by Venturi effect a sol is produced. In this way the nebuliser transforms a medical solution into a fine mist that can be inhaled into the lungs through a mouthpiece or mask. The rate of nebulization depends on the power of the compressor and other technical measures, aimed at optimizing the Venturi effect. Other factors to consider are the amount of drug residue and noise. In common parlance, "nebulizer" is the term given to the complete device (container, compressor, tube and mouthpiece).
The aerosol therapy is a therapeutic technique very reevaluated today, thanks to the latest technological achievements, but also from a conceptual point of view. Taking drugs for a general, in the treatment of respiratory ailments, is too "costly" in terms of damage associated with side effects and reactions, to the benefit offered by the resolution of the disease. Modern Medicine is clearly oriented towards the use of local medicines: a cortisone administered orally as an antiphlogistic in tracheobronchite, exposes the patient to gastric disorders and, if administered for long periods or cronicamiente, as in the case of asthma , exposes the risk of hyperglycaemia, growth retardation in children, osteoporosis, gastric ulcer, addiction, etc., vice versa, the local aerosol somministration carries the best therapeutic effect, without damage, because the drug is absorbed only where needed. But modern medicine also sees that the aerosol route of administration of drugs is useful in diseases that do not affect the respiratory system, using the absorption capacity of the mucosa, is now administering hormones (calcitonin) for nebulization via the nose and you think the possibility of using this route for insulin in the treatment of diabetes.
The nebulizer for aerosol therapy should not be regarded as the instrument used only for a round of applications in cases of respiratory disease, and is a useful tool for all the family daily for the prevention of diseases of the airways: spraying only water for humidification of the respiratory mucosa tested in a dehydrated, inhalation of balsamic substances to restore the welfare of the vocal cords, try or forced, from the restoration of the respiratory mucosa putting a severe test by smoking, active and passive kinds of pollutants, etc.. Also, and especially children should learn to become familiar with this device, which is now so small, portable, fast and secure.
Treatment with the aerosol therapy is a highly recommended by pediatricians and is very useful to treat diseases via air, which is high low, which. eg rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiolitis, and acute bronchitis.
The administration of medication by aerosol in childhood can reduce the side effects thereof and may also be a less invasive technique than others (see the hated very bitter syrups). Of course not all pediatricians are in agreement with the aerosol therapy as if not done correctly does not give effective results, but we say that a child of school age can have a good success rate. Of course medicines to be administered via aerosol must be provided by the physician and, in particular of children, measured as the weight of the individual.
The Aerosoltherapy is truly the cornerstone of prevention of respiratory diseases and the route of choice for treatment of ailments in place.
TYPES OF NEBULIZER
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Piston compressor
They use a jet of air generated by a compressor. Many devices on the market are not suitable for the treatment of severe bronchial asthma and pneumopatie because they are unable to produce particles small enough to reach the lower airways. Typically a device to generate aerosol particles of sizes between 2 and 10 microns in order to deposit the drug in the airways. It must also assess what percentage of the mist reaches the airways and not dispersed into the environment and this is a function of both particle size and the structure of the aerosol device. There is a European standard (EN 13544-1), which requires manufacturers to report these data, it is recommended to prefer devices in which these data are clear and reliable.
- Ultrasonic
Electronic devices that use ultrasonic vibrations produced by an oscillator. The vibration directly calls the drug with some frequency (1-2 MHz or more) through a ceramic disc, causing spraying by cavitation. An adjustable air flow generated by a small fan, makes it possible to direct the aerosol into the airways through the accessories (mask, snorkel and nasal). These devices, designed to simplify as much as possible the preparation of applications, are less noisy than the piston compressors and are able to more quickly produce a very fine mist. This makes them suitable for both applications to be administered at home, both during the application outside the home. Tend to break more easily and can alter certain active substances (eg, dornase alfa, Pulmozyme). In fact, recent studies show that devices of good quality does not adversely affect either complex and unstable molecules by changing the view on these nebulizers. Not all drugs can be nebulized with this method, but the pharmacology provides most of the drugs suitable for ultrasonic and obviously there are no problems with drugs approved for use with ultrasonic aerosols that are more effective than a traditional aerosol, in less time and with less discomfort in the pursuit of therapy.