AEROSOL THERAPY

What is aerosol therapy?

Aerosol therapy is a treatment and prevention method that consists of nebulizing a drug

up to the state of sol (suspension) in order to allow its inhalation into the respiratory system.

How does aerosol therapy work?

The particles of the nebulized drug penetrate the respiratory system and disperse

and they settle everywhere, even in the smallest and most difficult to reach places such as the pulmonary alveoli.

The smaller the particles, the greater their penetration into the lower respiratory system (bronchi and lungs) and the greater the therapeutic effectiveness of the treatment.

For the upper airways, however, the particles must have a larger size (granulometry).

so that they settle in the nasal cavities.

It is therefore very important to use different ampoules, capable of nebulising adequate particles

to deposition in diseased organs.

What size must the particles be to allow the drug to reach the airways?

The aerosol must be composed of particles of different diameters depending on the part of the airways to be treated.

The particles must be larger than 10 microns to treat the upper passages, and between 2 and 5 microns to treat the lower passages.

Who can use aerosol therapy?

Aerosol therapy can be used easily and safely in all age groups, even in early childhood,

and is particularly suitable for younger children who are not able to collaborate and who cannot be handled with other devices.

What is the optimal volume for performing aerosol therapy?

The optimal volume for aerosol therapy is between 1 and 3 ml.

But, be careful: medications and doses must always be prescribed by your doctor.

How long should the aerosol last?

The optimal duration can vary from 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the concentration of the drug used and age

and the pathology to be treated.

However, the treating doctor is the only contact for prescribing doses and duration of therapy.

How do I dilute the medicine? Can I use distilled water?

If you need to dilute the drug, it is best to use saline, and not distilled or plain water.

Can I also use two drugs at the same time?

With the advice and under the supervision of your doctor, it is possible to nebulize mixtures containing more than one drug.

How to use the mouthpiece, mask and nosepiece?

For the treatment of the lower airways it is always better to use the face mask,

connected to the ampoule containing the drug, making it adhere well to the face during aerosol therapy.

The ampoule, both with the mask and with the mouthpiece, produces particles with dimensions between 1 and 5 microns, therefore suitable for deposition in the lower respiratory tract.

For the treatment of the upper airways, the treatment of choice, therefore the optimal solution,

it is the one with the use of Rinowash.

The Rinowash is the first endonasal device to perform aerosolization of the upper airways.

In fact, it produces aerosol particles > 10 microns which are localized exclusively in the nasal cavities.

Can the ampoules and accessories be used by multiple people?

It is preferable to consider an ampoule or a mask for a single patient.

The ampoule, masks and mouthpiece must be carefully washed and sterilized each time after use

and can therefore also be used by multiple people.

Is it possible to treat upper airway diseases with ultrasound aerosol?

It is better to use the compressed air nebulizer, because the ultrasonic one is not capable of producing particles of a size suitable for deposition in the upper airways.

Furthermore, ultrasound devices are inadequate for nebulising suspended drugs and have the scientifically proven disadvantage of reaching a high temperature, thus overheating the solutions and altering the active ingredient.

How can ampoules be cleaned and sterilized?

Cleaning and disinfection must always be carried out when the ampoules are not connected to the device.

It is important to carry out both operations after each therapy and before use.

Remove the ampoules and wash with hot water using a little non-abrasive detergent and rinse under running water.

When all parts have been cleaned they can be dried with a soft cloth and reassembled.

All the components of the ampoules, after being washed, can be immersed in a cold disinfectant solution.

Where can you find information for correct product maintenance with warnings and advice on use?

Each product is accompanied by the relevant Instruction Manual where, in compliance with European regulations, they are detailed

the technical characteristics of the product and the instructions for use are clearly illustrated with the necessary warnings.