The study looked at 5 to 17 year-old asthmatics from minority groups living in an urban environment. Over a course of 12 months, the researchers tested the amount of air pollutants (specifically nitrogen dioxide and “fine particulate matter” if you were wondering) in each child’s room. When pollution levels were the same, the overweight and obese children were significantly more likely to show asthma symptoms.

The two categories of symptoms that increased the most were “exercise-related symptoms” and “more nights waking with asthma symptoms.”

The study’s conclusions were a) weight loss might reduce symptoms in overweight and obese children, and b) overweight and obese children might benefit from lower indoor air pollution even more than their normal-weight counterparts. More studies would be required to see if the same holds true for adults, but this seems likely.

Moral of the story – on top of treating asthma with medication and working to improve your indoor air quality, you might want to also focus on diet and exercise. It may not be the most direct way to treat your symptoms, but it could make a huge difference. And either way, it’s a healthy thing to do.

Warm Mist humidifiers sanitize and heat up the water inside the unit via a heating element, releasing warm steam into the room. They’re a little bit quieter than cool mist humidifiers, but also tend to be larger. Warm mist humidifiers are not ideal for children, since the hot water and heating element can pose a burn risk (don’t put these units on carpet!).

You might wish to purchase a warm mist humidifier if: 

• You want a machine that makes little noise;
• You live in a colder area, or plan on using the unit during the winter months;
• You are willing to pay a little more for an additional level of sanitation;
• You are not concerned about anyone touching the heating part of the unit;
• You seek to humidify a relatively small space.

Cool Mist humidifiers pass water over a wick to expel a vapor – ultrasonically, or through an absorbent paper-based material - that cools down the temperature of the room with a refreshing mist. Because there is no heating element, these units tend to be less expensive and safer for children; they also use cooling fans, which make noise. Non-ultrasonic machines require quite a bit of cleaning to prevent bacterial growth – the water must be changed every day, and the unit should be thoroughly cleaned at least once every 3 days.

You might wish to purchase a cool mist humidifier if: 

• Silence is not as high a priority;
• You live in a warmer area, or plan on using the unit during the summer months;
• You want a unit that is affordable and effective;
• You live with small children, pets, and/or the elderly;
• You seek to humidify a relatively large space.

In many ways, warm and cool mist humidifiers serve the same purposes – they’re both terrific for people suffering from sinus headaches, allergies, asthma, or other related issues. There are certainly differences between the two types of units, but it all comes down to matters of personal preference. Just in case you can’t decide, we even sell humidifiers that offer both hot and cool mist. Check out our selection of humidifiers - hot or cold, Just Nebulizers has you covered!

The pulse oximeter is a tool designed to measure the levels of oxygen saturation in the blood. This is achieved by passing two wavelengths of light through the patient to a photo-detector that measures the absorbency levels of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. The entire process takes only seconds, and you don’t have to worry about pricking your finger to check on your health. Best of all, it’s easy as can be! Read on for a step-by-step overview on using a pulse oximeter, including tips on how to ensure you receive the most accurate reading possible. 

1. Insert the batteries into the unit. Most oximeters run on AAA batteries. Make sure to check the charge of the batteries before you plug them in.
2. Insert your finger into the unit, and keep still for a few seconds while your reading is being calculated. Excessive movements can result in an inaccurate reading – as can too much external light, or poor circulation.
3. After a few seconds, you should see two numbers. The top number (which, most likely, will be numerically higher) is your SpO² – the ratio of oxygenated vs non-oxygenated blood cells. Generally speaking, a normal SpO² is above 95%, but that number may be lower in people with certain conditions, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The second number is your pulse.
4. When you’re finished using the oximeter, remove the batteries and stash the unit in a safe place until you’re ready to use it again.

Ladies, just in case you were wondering, you can use your pulse oximeter regardless of whether or not you’re wearing nail polish, so don’t sweat it! With these handy gadgets, keeping an eye on your blood oxygen levels has never been easier. And if you’re considering purchasing one, be sure to take a look at Just Nebulizers' selection of high-quality models!

1. Margo Moo Compessor Nebulizer System

This a-moo-sing nebulizer resembles an adorable smiling cow! Margo’s angled mouthpiece makes treatment more relaxing, and she even comes in a barn-shaped carrying case with a built-in carrying handle! A great choice for the farm fanatic!

2. Medquip Fire Engine Nebulizer System 

Fun AND functional, the Medquip Fire Engine Nebulizer System is toy and treatment all in one.  You can wheel it around, and the trunk opens to reveal a storage component in which to store the tubes and mouthpiece.

3. Medquip Building Block Nebulizer System                     

If your child delights in building Lego castles (and tearing them down), then they’ll love the Medquip Building Block Nebulizer System. It looks like a standard tabletop nebulizer system, but with one big difference – you can play with building blocks on top of it! The system comes with one set of building blocks, but you can buy separate sets (check out the Pirate ship here). It’s backed by a lifetime warranty and comes equipped with an angled mouthpiece and face mask.

4. Sami the Seal Nebulizer Compressor 

This cute seal may look like a toy, but it’s actually a speedy nebulizer system!  Specifically designed to work with the Philips Respironics sidestream, the reusable nebulizer system ensures that your child receives fast, effective treatment, so they can get back to playtime. Sami comes with his own friend – Tucker the Turtle, a fun nebulizer mask that will bring a smile to any face. With his cheerful smile and bright color scheme, Sami is sure to please!

1. Omron Micro-Air

The Micro-Air is our top recommended nebulizer, period. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket. It weighs only 6 ounces, including batteries. And it’s silent so you can take treatments anytime, anywhere. But don’t just take our word for it. The Micro-Air is also our most reviewed product, so there are (at the time of this writing) 264 user reviews to check out.

2. NebPak Ultrasonic Nebulizer

Though slightly bigger and heavier, the NebPak nebulizers are still super portable and offer silent treatments. They come in stylish pink or green camo cases and deliver medication quickly (less than 6 minutes for most medications). Plus, NebPaks give you the option of using a battery for treatments on the go, or plugging them directly into the wall.

3. MicroElite Portable Nebulizer System

The MicroElite from Respironics is the smallest jet nebulizer available. (Jet nebulizers use compressed air to turn medicine into mist, unlike ultrasonic nebulizers which use ultrasonic vibrations. Therefore, jet nebulizers are noisier but often cost less.) In addition to being super portable, the MicroElite allows users to take their treatment either with or without tubing—whichever they prefer.

4. Pari Trek S

Another top seller, the Pari Trek S is small, portable and provides super quick treatment times of only 5 minutes. Plus, it’s the perfect nebulizer for international travel since it includes a multi-voltage power adapter. The Pari Trek S may not be an ultrasonic nebulizer, but thanks to its quiet compressor it’s not super noisy either. The Pari Tek S also includes a Timestrip device which reminds users when they need to replace their nebulizer set.

The survey looked at over 50,000 asthmatics. Only 52% thought they were at risk of an asthma attack, but in reality 93% were. In the UKalone there are 4.3 million adults with asthma, meaning about 2 million are at risk of an attack and don’t realize it. Estimates say about 30 million Americans have asthma, so if theUK statistics hold true for theUS that’s 15 million at risk.

What can be done? According to the head of health promotion at Asthma UK, David Hines, health care professionals need to recognize who’s at risk, and patients need to know the risk factors. As Hines says, “Three people die from asthma every single day. We must act now.”

So know the risk factors and be ready. One way to be ready is to keep your portable nebulizer or inhaler on hand. Fortunately, nebulizers such as the Omron Microair are small, lightweight and battery operated, so they can easily be carried in your purse or even pocket. Besides, it’s much better to not need your medication and have it, than to need it and not have it. 

1. Be Relaxed

Unless you’re telepathic, you can’t directly explain to your dog what a nebulizer is or why you’re treating him with it. But pets will pick up on your nonverbal cues. If you go into the nebulizer treatment worried that your dog will be squirmy and try to get away, your dog will think something’s up and likely be squirmy and try to get away. But if you go in calm, your pet will know everything’s fine. Whatever this new device is, it must be okay, because you’re okay with it.

2. Use an Ultrasonic Nebulizer

Do noisy machines bother your dog? If so, you may want to get an ultrasonic nebulizer instead of a traditional, noisy jet nebulizer. This alone could make a huge difference.

3. Alternative Delivery Methods

The most effective delivery method is to put the nebulizer mask over your dog’s face. This ensures they get all the medication. But if your dog just won’t cooperate there are other methods you can try. For example, you could hold the nebulizer mouthpiece very close to your dog’s mouth. Or you could put your dog and the nebulizer inside a cage and place a towel over the cage to keep as much medication in as possible.

4. Keep the Nebulizer Clean

There’s an urban legend that dogs’ mouths our cleaner than ours. Though this hasn’t been conclusively disproven, the reasons we once believed it have been debunked. In 1988, a study found that human bites were more likely to get infected than dog bites. But the study counted teeth wounds inherited by punching another human in the mouth as “bites.” These fake bites were deeper and more likely to result in infection, skewing the results of the study.

All that to say, even when treating a dog it’s important to clean your nebulizer after each use.

So what’s the difference? The InnoSpire Elegance, which costs a few dollars more, works with SideStream Plus nebulizer sets. SideStream Plus neb sets have an inspiratory valve that opens when you breathe in  and closes when you breathe out, preventing medication waste. That way you know you’re getting the dose you need.

Both InnoSpire nebulizers are perfect for those with arthritic or weak hands. The top-down tubing system makes them easy to set up, and the docking station stabilizes the nebulizer cup so users can pour their medication with both hands.

Philips Respironics is set to come out with a third InnoSpire nebulizer later this year—the InnoSpire Deluxe. 

Previously, it was known that children with asthma were more likely to have allergies, but it was thought this did not apply to adults. However, the new study shows that a whopping 75% of asthmatics between ages 20 and 40 and 65% of asthmatics above age 55 have at least one allergy. If you think you may have an allergy on top of asthma, check with your doctor. They may need to be treated separately.

The study also said that the number of Americans diagnosed with asthma grows each year, as does the number of Americans with allergies. Currently, 26 million Americans have asthma and 50 million have allergies. It’s possible the growth of both asthma and allergies is linked, but hard to say for sure.

One explanation for the growth of each is the “hygiene hypothesis” which suggests that because our hygiene has improved, exposing us to fewer microbes, our vigilant immune systems have begun fighting off things they don’t really need to like dust and pollens. Another theory is that our improved knowledge of conditions like asthma is leading to more proper diagnoses, but not more actual cases. Hopefully the latter’s true.

One such city is Beijing. The Environmental Protection Agency developed an Air Quality Index that rated the amount of air pollution on a scale of 0 to 500. Anything between 301 and 500 is considered “hazardous” and residents are advised to avoid any and all outdoor activity. At the time, they didn’t think air pollution could go over 500. But two years ago, Beijing proved them wrong.

And now in 2013 Beijing’s air quality has hit a level of 755. Basically, living in Beijing on a bad pollution day is worse for your respiratory system than living in an airport smoking lounge.

The problem’s gotten so bad Beijing entrepreneur Chen Guangbiao has started selling cans of fresh air for five yuan ($0.80 US) a piece. They come in a variety of flavors including Taiwan, Tibet, and Ya’an.

As you can imagine, breathing air from a can is not that practical. The new business venture is going after publicity, not profits. And this isn’t Guangbiao’s first environmental publicity stunt either. Recently he gave away 5,000 bicycles to encourage more biking and less driving.

According to Gunagbiao, “If we don’t start caring for the environment, then after 20 or 30 years our children and grandchildren might be wearing gas masks and carry oxygen tanks… People say I am high profile or love to stage a show, but I don’t think those who seek ‘stability’ and a low profile can do much for social progress.”

Using data from 500,000 kids in over 50 countries, the University of Auckland concluded that young children who eat fast food three or more times a week have a 27% greater risk of developing severe asthma.

Why is this? There are a couple theories on what might be happening.

1. Perhaps It’s Due to Trans Fatty Acids

Asthma generally occurs because the immune system is overacting to certain environmental stimuli. Trans fatty acids have been shown to affect immune system reactions. And fast food is chock full of trans fatty acids. It’s possible that through some mechanism we don’t yet understand, excessive trans fatty acids cause the immune system to overact, leading to asthma.

2. Perhaps the Study Found a Correlation, Not a Causation

According to Dr. Stephen Teach, “It would be wrong to assume from the results of this study that fast foods directly cause allergic disease.” For example, children who eat a lot of fast food may have a lower socioeconomic status. If they live in a poorer area with more air pollution, that could be what’s actually causing the asthma.

Whatever the case, there is some good news. The study also showed that children who eat three or more servings of fruit a week had a lower than average risk of developing asthma.

So at the end of the day, the lesson is one you probably already knew, but an important one nonetheless—Don’t eat too much fast food, and remember your fruits and veggies.

Oximeters indirectly measure the oxygen levels in your blood and can be an important indicator of how well your respiratory treatment is going.  Normal levels (Sp02) generally range between 90 – 100 depending upon your age and preexisting respiratory conditions.   Less than that and you may need to see a doctor.  Knowing your own “normal” reading, and then monitoring to see how it may go down or up may help you manage your condition.

One use for oximeters is preventing asthma attacks.  A recent study by the Darvish Health Clinic took 100 asthmatics and split them into two groups. 50 were given an oximeter. The other 50 were not. Those with the oximeter were instructed to take supplemental oxygen anytime their oxygen level fell below normal. After a few months of recording and monitoring data, the clinic concluded that those with the oximeter “experienced significantly less cases of… [asthma] attacks.”

Oximeters work by shining red and infrared light through a translucent part of a user’s body, usually the fingertip. How much your body absorbs of these two wavelengths depends on how oxygenated your blood is. By measuring how much of the light gets through, oximeters can calculate your blood’s oxygen levels. Since the oximeter is attached to your fingertip, it’s able to ensure accurate readings by taking your pulse and blood circulation speed into account.

So if you have trouble with asthma attacks, or if you’re an athlete and need to make sure your oxygen levels are high enough, consider using an oximeter.

According to the researchers, allergic diseases are much more common in the US than other countries, so those of us who were foreign born start out with an advantage. But the longer we live in the States, the more that advantage fades away.

At the moment allergies are on the rise worldwide and in the US in particular, but we don’t know for sure why. One theory known as the hygiene hypothesis suggests that because we are now exposed to so many fewer microbes (thanks to hand sanitizers, vaccines, smaller family sizes, etc.) our immune systems don’t have to spend as much time fighting disease. So they fill their free time with annoying behaviors such as producing allergies to everything from dust to dairy.

Another reason for the rise in allergies may be that energy efficient doors and windows keep indoor allergens trapped inside. Plus, these days many children spend more time playing indoors than outdoors, increasing their exposure to these allergens.

Whatever the case, if this is to be my last year allergy-free I plan to enjoy it as much as possible. And if the allergies do hit, I can always fight back with a nebulizer.

They estimate the same treatment could be available for humans in a decade or less. Though that’s still a long ways off, this is a huge step forward especially when you consider how quickly asthma is growing worldwide.

How did the scientists do it? Instead of going after asthma symptoms, they targeted the two proteins which are triggered during an asthma attack—midline-1 and protein phosphatase 2A.

As many asthmatics may know, the two most common triggers for asthma attacks are cold viruses and dust mites. When one of these triggers hits your lungs, your midline-1 levels go up which causes your protein phosphatase 2A levels to go down. Protein phosphatase 2A is responsible for deactivating the proteins which cause mucus production in your lungs and inflammation. When there isn’t enough protein phosphatase 2A to perform that task you experience an asthma attack.

Knowing all this, the scientists were able to target the two proteins and successfully prevent asthma attacks in the mice they studied. Next they plan to develop a medication which they can test on humans in clinical trials.

The future’s looking bright for asthmatics.

The best nebulizer for a cruise is the Omron Micro-Air nebulizer. It runs off two AA batteries, which can be found for sale around the world, and you can easily pack with you. It is very small and portable, and includes a small carrying case, which is as small as a reading glass case. It is totally silent, so you can use it anywhere, and no one will even know!

If you are planning to fly to your cruise port, remember your nebulizer needs to be packed in your carry-on bag. Also, don’t forget to pack enough medication for the duration of your vacation!

A series of “freeway studies” conducted in LA showed that those who live closer to major highways have worse respiratory health than those who live further away. It’s troubling to think that even something as seemingly small as proximity to major roads within a city can make that much of a difference.

I myself have had the pleasure of living in two wonderful cities that unfortunately are regularly subject to haze. One is Santa Ana, LA’s neighbor, which got “hazed” seemingly every summer when California’s forests habitually caught fire. The other is Singapore which got “hazed” when farmers from neighboring countries had to “slash-and-burn” their fields. And though I appreciate the produce farmers provide, it was annoying to have to stay inside during recess.

So what’s a parent in a big city to do? According to Dr. Christopher Chang, “make sure the child’s asthma is well-controlled, and that they take their medicines as prescribed and as needed.” Of course one of the best ways to simply and effectively receive medications is with a good nebulizer. Dr. Chang goes on to recommend that parents close their windows and use central heating or cooling when possible. In many cities, you can also check the daily air quality forecast and limit outdoor activities on days with particularly polluted air.

But an infrequent replacement can be much harder to remember than a frequent cleaning. Your nebulizer seems to be working fine, so you forget about it. But it’s important to do. Old filters don’t allow as much air to pass through, making it harder on your compressor and possibly leading to a breakdown. Also, old filters can collect bacteria which won’t help whatever respiratory issue you’re facing.

50 million Americans stopped breathing last night due to obstructive sleep apnea. What is sleep apnea?

Apnea means “a temporary suspension of breathing.” Sleep apnea is when one stops breathing in their sleep. Episodes last ten or more seconds and end when the sleeper briefly awakens, takes a breath, and falls back asleep. Those with sleep apnea may wake up hundreds of times each night, but most don’t remember these episodes. So how do you know if you have sleep apnea?

The biggest sign of sleep apnea is loud snoring. Snoring occurs because the sleeper is having trouble breathing. The periods of snoring will then be broken up sporadically by silence, indicating the sleeper has stopped breathing. Those with sleep apnea don’t get restful sleep and are often extremely tired during the day. Not only that, sleep apnea can kill, though it often does so indirectly via heart attacks, strokes, or high blood sugar.

But you don’t need to worry. Sleep apnea is a totally treatable condition. Once you’ve been diagnosed, the most common and reliable treatment is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The machine attaches to your face through a hose and CPAP mask. By creating positive airway pressure, the CPAP machine keeps your airway open throughout the night so you can breathe unobstructed. You’ll get better sleep and feel more energized throughout the day. Plus, if you have a bed partner they won’t have to listen to you snore all night. Everyone wins.

Have you ever wondered which nebulizer famous pop singers prefer? No? Well now you can find out anyway.

In a recent interview with Brazilian TV show Caldeirao do Huck, Madonna revealed the medical supplies she uses to keep her body and voice in top shape for her performances. Showing off her Omron Micro-Air nebulizer, she told the interviewer “This is my nebulizer... It has a saline solution which hydrates my vocal cords.”

The singer also uses a facial steamer with eucalyptus; tea made from tree bark, cinnamon, lemon and honey to soothe her throat; and good old fashioned ice packs to keep her knees from hurting after dancing in high heels.

The fact that Madonna uses an Omron Micro-Air isn’t too surprising. It’s the smallest, lightest and most portable nebulizer out there, and it runs on AA batteries making it perfect for international travel. Also, it’s one of the top selling nebulizers. We’ve sold more Micro-Airs than any other nebulizer on our site.

So there you have it. If you want to nebulize like Madonna, try the Omron Micro-Air!

And for those wondering what Caldeirao do Huck means, it translates to Huck’s Calderon which just made me more confused. 

According to Dr. Christopher Millett, who led the UK study, “Previous studies have also suggested that the smoke-free law changed people's attitudes about exposing others to second-hand smoke and led more people to abstain from smoking voluntarily at home and in cars. We think that exposing children to less second-hand smoke in these settings probably played an important role in reducing asthma attacks.”

Hopefully, along with other studies, public health lobbyists around the world will be able to continue to fight for smoke-free legislation to help protect asthma sufferers around the world.

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Have you ever wondered why the various English-speaking countries can’t agree on how to spell their words?

Well, back before the 18^th century English spellings weren’t standardized (or if you prefer, standardised). Then dictionaries started coming out, and different regions of the world adhered to different ones. Americans preferred Noah Webster’s dictionary. The British preferred Samuel Johnson’s.

Many of the spelling differences happened on purpose. Webster believed in reforming spelling for largely nationalistic reasons. Some of his spelling innovations caught on while others, such as changing “tongue” to “tung” never did.

A few of the most noticeable spelling differences between regions are—

-or vs. -our

In America, the spellings for unstressed -our endings were changed to -or. Colour became color, honour became honor and so on. But for stressed -our endings such as contour or troubadour, Americans kept the “u.” The “u” has been dropped in some British words too, such as governor, mirror, and horror.

-er vs. -re

Most English words ending in -er once ended in -re. In the British English -re spelling is still used for several words such as centre, metre and theatre which were all changed to -er in the States. However, several British words were also changed to -er such as chapter, enter and months such as October, November and December.

-ize vs. -ise

And now we come to the one that affects our good friend the nebulizer (or nebuliser). Americans always use the -ize ending, for example organize, realize and of course nebulizer. British spelling uses either -ize or -ise. The Oxford English Dictionary insists on the -ize spelling. However, -ise is still commonly used in the UK at a ratio of about 3:2. Both spellings are also used in Australia and New Zealand, but there the use of -ise is much more common at a ratio of 3:1.

So there you have it. That’s why some people use a nebulizer while (or whilst) others prefer a nebuliser. 

1. Aspirator

Nasal aspirators deal with the problem head on by simply sucking the snot out of your baby’s nose. I recommend the Nasal Clear Battery Operated Aspirator from Mabis, because it plays music to calm your baby, is dishwasher safe, and battery operated. But if you want a more economical aspirator, try a simple bulb syringe.

2. Breast Milk

Breast milk can be dropped into your baby’s nostrils to loosen mucus. It works the same as a saline solution, only it has the added benefit of breast milk’s antibacterial properties.

3. Humidifiers

This one works for adults as well! Humidity thins out mucus and moistens nasal passages, making it easier for mucus to drain out. We offer several child friendly, animal-shaped humidifiers. Unlike vaporizers which also release a fine mist, humidifiers don’t boil water. This makes them safer, especially if you have young children who might knock one over.

4. Keep Your Baby Upright

Lying down makes congestion worse. You may not be able to hold your baby upright all day, but simply elevating the top end of his or her mattress will help.

1. Omron Micro-Air

This is easily our most popular nebulizer. Most ultrasonic nebulizers apply heat to the medication, limiting the medications they can be used with. But the Omron Micro-Air uses the unique Vibrating Mesh Technology which involves moving medication through a metal mesh. This process allows use with more medications and shorter treatment times. To top it all off, the Micro-Air is the smallest and lightest nebulizer available meaning you can take it with you anytime, anywhere.

2. Drive Hercules Portable Nebulizer

In addition to being quiet, portable, and coming with a rechargeable battery, the Drive Hercules offers many options when it comes to actually taking your medication. It offers three airflow settings—high, medium and low—as well as three medication delivery methods—mouthpiece, nasal piece and adult or child mask.

3. Lumiscope Portable Ultrasonic Nebulizer

The Lumiscope comes with a carrying case for storing parts, can be bought with an auto adapter for treatments on the road, and is of course silent and portable. But perhaps its coolest feature is its two-valve delivery system. Designed for maximum efficiency and reduced medication waste, the valve opens as you exhale so your breath escapes and does not contaminate the medication and closes as you inhale so you only breathe in the medication. Plus, the Lumiscope is our cheapest ultrasonic nebulizer.

4. MiniBreeze

The MiniBreeze offers quick treatments under six minutes. It weighs less than 8 ounces and comes with a carry bag, making it perfect for travel. Plus it offers an automatic shut-off feature so you don’t forget it and kill the battery. After 10 minutes of non-use the MiniBreeze will simply shut off on its own.

1. Be Calm and Confident

Babies can sense if you’re nervous, and that makes them nervous. Giving the nebulizer treatment with a calm attitude will help keep them calm. They’ll know that whatever this crazy alien machine you’re attaching to their face is, it must be okay because you’re okay with it.

2. Distract Your Kid

Some parents don’t want their kids to watch television before age 3. But if you’re having a hard time getting your child to cooperate with nebulizer treatments, this may be the time to make an exception. Books, games and toys can also serve as effective distractions.

3. Use the Mask

Many pediatric nebulizers come with a small mask for children or infants. If your baby isn’t comfortable with the mask being strapped to their face, try holding it to their mouth instead. The masks ensure your child gets all the medication. Medquip also offers a nebulizer pacifier attachment if your baby is more comfortable with that. 

4. Don’t Do “Blow By” Treatments

Some parents whose children resist nebulizer treatments simply blow the mist toward their baby’s face. Though the baby may cooperate, this is an ineffective treatment method. Your child will get much less of the medication.

5. Use a Kid-Friendly Nebulizer

Babies may be frightened by the loud noise a compressor nebulizer, or jet nebulizer, makes. If this is the case, try an ultrasonic nebulizer. If noise isn’t the issue or if you have an older child, try using an animal nebulizer which feature friendly animal designs.

To use an inhaler with a spacer:

1. Exhale as strongly as possible.
2. Press down on your inhaler to release medicine. You should hear an audible “puff” and see the medication released into the chamber.
3. Slowing inhale the medicine from the chamber. Some chambers have an audible “whistle” of you inhale too strongly.
4. Hold your breath for at least 3 seconds, giving the medication time to deposit in your lungs.
5. Exhale slowly.

Many spacers are available with masks, which allow parents and caregivers to assist in the treatment of their loved ones. Be sure to clean your spacer after each use so it is ready if the need to use it again arises.

Humidifiers are the best way to put that much-needed moisture back into the air. But many don’t realize all the benefits moist air has. Here are some of the biggest—

1. Keeps Your Lips/Hands from Cracking/Bleeding

As far as I’m concerned the worst part of winter is chapped lips. But with a humidifier, you and I can avoid at least some of our dry skin suffering and keep or blood safely inside uncracked skin, where it belongs.

2. Keeps You Healthy

Colds and the flu are often associated with cold weather, for many reasons. One of these is that dry respiratory tissue is more susceptible to infection. So a little humidity can help keep you healthy this winter.

3. Protects Your Paint/Furniture/Floors

Paint dries out and cracks. Wood furniture dries out and cracks. Wood floors buckle and separate. But by keeping the air moist you can prevent all of these from happening.

4. Keeps You Warm

Humid air feels warmer. Though a humidifier won’t make the same difference your heater does, it should have a noticeable effect.

5. Reduces Static Electricity

Tired of being zapped every time you grab a door knob or touch a loved one? Moist air reduces static buildup, keeping your hands zap-free.

Though often referred to as a nebulizer, the machine part is actually the compressor because it compresses air to turn liquid medication into mist. The nebulizer is the part you attach to the compressor and breathe through.

2. How long do nebulizer treatments take?

This varies from nebulizer to nebulizer. But typically treatments take between five and fifteen minutes. Fast treatment times are a selling point for many of our nebulizers.

3. Why are my treatments taking longer than they used to?

Nebulizer sets (not the compressor) need to be cleaned regularly. Also, make sure to replace your nebulizer cups and filters as recommended.

4. Can nebulizers be used by all ages?

Definitely. Nebulizers are often the best way for young children or the elderly to receive medication, as inhalers take more coordination to use. Nebulizer masks come in child and adult sizes and there are even pacifier attachments. Many middle-aged men and women also prefer nebulizers to inhalers.

5. What should I do if I start to feel dizzy during a treatment?

This happens to patients on occasion. Simply turn off the compressor and take a break for five minutes. When you restart the treatment, be sure to breathe slowly.

6. Can distilled water be used in the medicine cup for humidified inhalation?

Yes. Humidity can help open up airways, which is one of the reasons nebulizers are such an effective medication delivery system. If you want, you can use them to breathe humidified air without medication.

I’ve always found it odd that fish is supposed to be good for you. I mean, it’s delicious. And everything else that’s delicious will apparently kill you.  Now a group of scientists have concluded that in addition to lowering your blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart attacks, aiding brain function, and preventing inflammation fish can decrease the risk of your child developing asthma or allergies.

A study of over 4,000 Swedish children looked at risk factors affecting asthma and allergies. It found that those who were given antibiotics during the first week of life were more likely to develop asthma. But antibiotics are “given to newborns to stop potentially lethal infections that can be passed on from mother to baby during birth.” And lethal infections are a bigger concern than asthma.

So what’s a parent who wants their child both infection and asthma free to do? Try introducing fish into their diet. The study showed that children who start eating fish before 9 months had significantly lower chances of developing asthma or allergies.

How does this work? According to the study, “Fish, being rich in n-3 PUFA, has been suggested to oppose the action of n-6 PUFA, thus decreasing the risk of allergy.” I have no idea what that means. But maybe some doctors read this blog and will find it interesting.

Moral of the story: eat fish. But if you or your child do end up developing asthma, remember you can always buy one of our awesome nebulizers. Just a thought.

Former State Senator Mandy Dawson was recently convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to six months in prison. She represented Broward and Palm Beach counties in the Florida House and Senate for 16 years. During these years, Dawson concealed income she received from lobbyists including Alan Mendelsohn, a Hollywood ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who is currently serving a four-year sentence for his own crimes. Though Dawson plead guilty to the tax evasion, this hasn’t stopped her from trying to delay her jail time.

Two days before her prison sentence was to begin, Dawson’s public defender requested a sixty day delay in sentencing due to Dawson’s many medical issues. According to the lawyer, Dawson has begun taking nebulizer treatments, injecting arthritis medication, using a wheelchair, and “also needs treatment for what is believed to be a kidney stone.”

Judge Scola denied the request, writing “these are chronic issues that will most likely not abate within sixty days.”

So unfortunately, although they offer proven health benefits, can open your airways and effectively administer medication, nebulizers cannot keep you out of prison. Our advice is to simply not evade your taxes.

Dawson’s request to be sent to a federal prison hospital was also denied. Instead, she’ll be serving her time in a low security prison for women. In addition to the six months’ jail time, Dawson has been ordered to pay $29,272 in taxes to the federal government. 

While most smokers who have tried to quit have heard all the conventional methods (patches, gum, cold turkey), some less known methods have proven successful. Here is a list of techniques you or your loved ones may not have tried yet:

1. Family change – For some, having kids can be a powerful motivator to quit smoking. If one parent doesn’t smoke, that person must insist that the other parent or grandparent doesn’t smoke around the kids. If nothing else, this should cut down on the number of cigarettes and opportunities to smoke.
2. Isolate yourself – Go where cigarettes are not. This may mean renting a cabin in the woods for the first week that doesn’t permit smoking. Don’t bring any cigarettes, but do make sure to bring everything else you will need. You don’t want to have to run to the store to pick up milk, where you might be tempted to buy cigarettes.
3. Count the small victories – Try quitting for an hour, then two, then until noon, then a day. Extend the interval until your small victories become bigger ones.
4. Self-hypnosis – Tell yourself with every cigarette you smoke that it tastes awful. Continue telling yourself that until you believe it. Some people seek out professional help for this technique while others say they have success doing it themselves.
5. Avoid others who smoke – For many, being around others who smoke can trigger a relapse. It can be the smell or even just seeing others smoke that can cause you to pick up another cigarette. Stay away from your triggers. Choose restaurants and bars that do not allow smoking inside. You may also need to stay away from certain friends and family who smoke until you are farther along in your process.

For more information about the Great American Smokeout and ways you can help yourself or your loved ones, visit the American Cancer Society website.

A recent study published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) found that 50% of children with dust mite induced asthma experienced remission after three years of allergy shots. These shots not only treat the symptoms, but also prevent asthma and halt the development of other allergies.

According to allergist and ACAAI chair James Sublett, “It has long been observed that the effectiveness of allergy shots continue long after treatment has been completed. This study is among the first to look at the benefits of different lengths of therapy. Not only does immunotherapy provide long-term therapeutic benefits… it can reduce total healthcare costs by 33 to 41%.”

If you suffer from dust mite induced asthma, there are some steps aside from shots you can take to feel better. Try getting some allergy bedding to keep dust mites out of your bed. Clean your sheets regularly, dust your house, and replace your air filters. And of course, remember to take your nebulizer medication!

1. Take Your Nebulizer Treatments Regularly

If you know allergy season will set off your asthma, it’s better to take medication before your allergies go crazy than to wait until you’re miserable. Also, if you don’t regularly carry your nebulizer or inhaler you may want to consider doing so during this season, just in case.

2. Keep Your Windows Closed

Breathing in pollen and other allergens when outside is unavoidable, but by keeping your windows closed you can at least keep them out of your home. This may also be a good time to change your air filters.

3. Wash Your Bed Sheets and Clothes Extra

Pollens like to sneak into your house by sticking to your clothes. From there, they’ll stick to bedding, rugs, couches, etc. To keep pollen accumulation to a minimum, shower before bed and wash your bed sheets and clothes a little extra. You can also try using an allergy care bed cover, to keep allergens out of your mattress, box spring, and pillows.

4. Clean Your Pets

If you have pets, especially ones that play outside, they’re probably going to get covered in pollen and other allergens. This makes allergy season a particularly good time to give your pet a bath.

5. Go Outdoors at Optimal Times

You shouldn’t let your asthma control your life. But if some simple rescheduling can help you feel better, why not? Pollen counts are at their highest between 5 and 10am. So maybe try going on evening walks instead of morning walks. Also, rains help lower the pollen accumulation in the air so during or after rainy days may be another good time to enjoy the outdoors.

Asthmatics have more mucus-producing cells than those without asthma. The extra mucus can plug up airways, leading to an asthma attack. Asthmatics also tend to have a higher number of smooth muscles surrounding their airways, meaning that even a slight stimulus can cause a strong airway-constricting reaction.

The researchers discovered that both of these biological processes are regulated by the same calcium-activate chloride channel—TMEM16A. “[We thought] maybe if we could inhibit both of these processes by blocking this one channel, then we could affect the two symptoms of asthma,” said Dr. Jason Rock, assistant professor at UCSF’s Department of Anatomy.

This new treatment has already been successfully tested in the lab. Dr. Rock and his team simulated asthma in a dish, then blocked the TMEM16A channel. Mucus production was successfully slowed down. The next step is to test the safety of the channel blocker in animal studies. If that goes well, they can move on to us humans.

It will still be a while till the treatment is available to the public, but it’s nice to know that science is working toward a brighter future with fewer asthma attacks.

The good news is nebulizers help cats recover much more quickly by opening up their airways and delivering medicine slowly, directly into the lungs. Pediatric nebulizers work best as cats are much closer in size to a child than to a human adult.

Pets may resist nebulizer treatments, but there are a few strategies to get them to cooperate. If you have a pet cage, the simplest solution may be to put your pet and their nebulizer in the cage, cover the cage with a towel so the air won’t all escape, and turn on the nebulizer. If this doesn’t work or you don’t have a cage, try holding the nebulizer mouthpiece or pediatric face mask close to your pet’s face. Give your pet lots of attention during the treatment and reward them with a treat afterward. This should make them less likely to resist next time.

If your child no longer needs his or her nebulizer, the Humane Society could really use it—even if the device has reached its expiration date. If you live near the HSSLC you can drop off your used nebulizer at 100 Savannah Road, Ft. Pierce, Florida, 34982. If you don’t, try contacting your local Humane Society or pet shelter to see if they’re looking for nebulizer donations.

1. Take Treatments at the Same Time Everyday

Routine and habit make things much easier to remember. The simplest solution may be to take the nebulizer treatment right after you wake up, or right before you head to bed. Once you get into the new routine, it should become much easier to remember.

2. Vibratory Reminders

Most cell phones allow you to set an alarm for a certain time. But if you want something more discreet or if you take multiple treatments throughout the day—you may want to get a vibratory watch. Vibrating watches can be set to go off at set intervals or at specific times throughout the day. They’re a perfect medication reminder for children or adults. You can find a good selection at bedwettingstore.com.

3. Wall Calendar

You might just get a wall calendar that you can mark whenever you or your child takes their medication. Just put it next to the nebulizer. If the calendar’s unmarked for the current day, you’ll know you still need that day’s treatment. Plus, this way you won’t have to worry about whether or not you’ve already had a nebulizer treatment.

1. Medquip Penguin Nebulizer System

The Medquip Penguin Nebulizer has a fun, friendly penguin design kids love and comes with an igloo carrying case. The nebulizer pieces hook to the back, keeping your child’s focus on the cuddly penguin instead of the nebulizer treatment.

What our customers say:

“The penguin keeps our son interested enough to sit still for at least some of his medicine. He likes it so much that he'll drag the igloo bag out if it's within his reach and unzip it to look at the penguin.”

                -Me from USA

2. Medquip Building Block Nebulizer System

The Medquip Building Block Nebulizer (intended for children over the age of 5) includes a set of colorful building blocks to entertain your child during their nebulizer treatment. A Pirate block set and Heli-Port block set are also available for purchase.

What our customers say:

“A must have for anyone who struggles getting their child to sit down and do their treatment. The building block nebulizer has put an end to the fighting in our house.”

                                -Aim from Ohio

3. Margoo Moo Compressor Nebulizer System

Margoo Moo features a friendly cow face, giving your child an entertaining and calming focus point throughout the nebulizer treatment. Margo comes with a barn shaped carrying case for easy travel and keeping track of the nebulizer pieces.

What our customers say:

“This machine was a lifesaver...literally!!! It made my daughter's breathing treatments so painless and actually enjoyable. Love Love Love it!”

                                -Tiffany from Gary, Texas

4. Mabis NebPak Ultrasonic Nebulizer

The Mabis NebPak Ultrasonic Nebulizer is perfect for older kids. It comes with a stylish pink or green camo carrying case and weighs less than 8 ounces. As an ultrasonic nebulizer, the treatments are essentially silent allowing your kid to take treatments whenever they need.

What our customers say:

“Easy to use. Very handy. Works fast.”

                                -Wheezy from Rochester, NY

5. Medquip Panda Nebulizer System

Medquip’s Panda Nebulizer machine is another kid friendly design. It comes in traditional black and white or pink and includes an angled mouthpiece, child mask and pacifier attachment for infants.

What our customers say:

“This product has superceeded my expectations. My daughter loves to get her breathing treatments now. Instead of the fighting with her.”

                                -addalina1 from oregon

The good news is you really can’t go wrong. Both tabletop and hand held nebulizers are effective at delivering medication and treating respiratory conditions. The advantages or disadvantages of each depend on your lifestyle.

Tabletop Nebulizers

Do you prefer to use your nebulizer indoors? Is the nebulizer for a small child/infant who requires stationary use? Do you want to save money?

If so, then this may be the best nebulizer for you. Tabletop nebulizers are designed to be used indoors on a sturdy, still surface. The main advantage of tabletop nebulizers is that they are cheaper than hand held nebulizers and typically come with a longer warranty.

Hand Held/Portable Nebulizers

Do you travel often? Do you want mobility during nebulizer treatments?

If so, then a hand held or portable nebulizer may be best for you. Hand held nebulizers allow you to move around during your treatments and can be taken indoors or outdoors. They’re also better for travel as they work with a wider range of power sources, such as batteries and 12V DC auto adapters. Plus, they are lighter than tabletop nebulizers.

But whichever nebulizer you choose, you’ll get the same effective medication delivery.

1. Don’t assume you can get medication at your destination

Not every destination has a nearby pharmacy, and not every pharmacy will have your medication. This is especially true when travelling overseas, where the local medications and common conditions might be different. Know where the nearby pharmacies will be and call ahead to make sure they have the medication you need. Don’t forgot to bring your prescription and some extra medication just in case.

2. Don’t store your nebulizer in checked baggage

Sadly, it’s not uncommon for airlines to lose bags. Or for checked bags to arrive late. Or for flights to get delayed. Always keep your medications and nebulizer in your carry-on so you’ll have it when you need it.

3. Don’t lose your medication to TSA

At the time of this writing, medications are allowed in “reasonable quantities” exceeding the 3 ounce limit all other liquids have. But you must declare these items for inspection at the check point and TSA officers may open them for screening. You can get up to date requirements at www.tsa.gov.

4. Don’t leave your medicine in the sun all day

Some medication can lose potency if left in the hot sun. Try storing your medicine in an insulated bag or pouch to protect against heat exposure.

5. Don’t bring a table top nebulizer

Table top nebulizers tend to be heavier and bulkier than their portable counterparts. Instead of lugging one around, a smarter investment might be a lightweight, battery operated portable nebulizer. The Omron Micro-Air and Pari Trek S are two of our most popular models, both recommended for international travel.

Typically, it is recommended that you do a quick cleaning of your nebulizer (part that holds the medicine) after each use and sterilize it once a week. The cleaning is simple and shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes. Make sure your hands are clean, then disassemble your nebulizer and rinse all the pieces with warm water. Don’t wash the nebulizer tubing or the compressor (nebulizer machine). Once that’s done, let the pieces air dry.

To sterilize the nebulizer, you have a few options—

1. Dishwasher

Most nebulizers are dishwasher safe. If you have a dishwasher, washing the nebulizer pieces is probably the easiest solution. Do not put the nebulizer tubing, mask, or compressor through a dishwasher.

2. Vinegar

Another simple way to sterilize is to soak the nebulizer parts (except for the tubing, mask and compressor) in a solution composed of one part distilled white vinegar and three parts hot water. Just let them sit for an hour then put them on a towel to air dry.

3. Boiling

You can also boil water for 10 minutes, then drop the nebulizer parts in and let them sit for another 10 minutes. Again, don’t wash the nebulizer tubing, mask or compressor. After they’ve sat for 10 minutes, put them on a towel to air dry.

Cleaning and sterilizing your nebulizer will help get rid of any potential germs/bacteria and keep your nebulizer running at maximum efficiency. 

1.       Dust Mites

This is possibly the most common asthma trigger. And it’s no wonder why—since dust is made largely of dead skin cells wherever there’s people, there’s gonna be dust.

How to Avoid It: Clean your home regularly. Put airtight covers on your mattresses. Try putting cheesecloth over you air ducts to keep dust from recirculating.

2.       Secondhand Smoke

When someone smokes, environmental tobacco smoke is released into the air and affects those nearby—especially if they have asthma.

How to Avoid It: Avoid smoky places, such as certain bars or concert venues. If a loved one smokes, ask them not to smoke around you and to smoke outside so the air doesn’t recirculate throughout your home.

3.       Molds

Fun Fact: Molds reproduce by creating tiny spores and releasing them into the air. If you have asthma, you probably don’t want to breathe those spores in.

How to Avoid It: If you have mold in your house, the first step is to clean it up with soapy water. After that, eliminate any source(s) of moisture that would mold to grow. Common ones include water leaks or bathrooms/kitchens without exhaust fans.

4.       Cockroaches

If you live in an urban area, cockroaches and other pests could be triggering your asthma. Their feces and saliva cause allergic reactions in many individuals.

How to Avoid It: Get some bug spray. Also, make sure to keep your sinks and counters clean, store your food in airtight containers and clean spills quickly. This will help keep the pests out and your asthma symptoms down.

1. Your everyday treatment plan. As your child is older, helping them to understand how their medications work can help with compliance and better their control over the symptoms.
2. List symptoms. Again, you want to help give your child a sense of control. Asthma can be disruptive for your child’s learning, so you want them to know when it is okay to seek treatment from the school nurse. This will also help prevent a severe attack and allow them to fully participate in all school activities (like P.E. and recess).
3. Share your treatment plan with your child’s teachers, coaches and the school nurse. It is important you work as a team to help prevent severe attacks.
4. Make sure your child has access to his inhaler. All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow children with asthma to carry and use their own quick relief inhaler at school. Using an inhaler cover that attaches to the outside of their backpack will give you and your child a quick visual to ensure they have it for school every day. If your child isn’t ready to use an inhaler in her own, be sure the school nurse has an inhaler, or designated nebulizer available for treatment.
5. Remove as many potential triggers as possible. Most schools no longer use chalk, but other dusty areas, class pets, or certain cleaning products may trigger an attack in your child. If you know of certain triggers, be sure to include them in your action plan, and remind teachers and coaches that your child needs to be seated away from triggers to help prevent an attack.

With the right plan in place, you can ensure your child has a healthy school year.

Nebulizers

Nebulizers are designed to deliver prescription respiratory medications. They do this by dissolving the medicine into a light mist which can be breathed in through a mouthpiece. Breathing in mist helps open up one’s airways and can be useful in treating asthma, allergies and a variety of respiratory diseases.

Vaporizers

Vaporizers are also used to create a breathable mist. You can add medication to these as well. However, unlike nebulizers, vaporizers disperse the mist throughout a room and thus are not a reliable form of medication delivery, though the mist itself can still have health benefits. Also, unlike both nebulizers and humidifiers, vaporizers usually boil their water to create mist, which poses a danger to young children who might knock the vaporizer over.

Humidifiers

Like vaporizers, humidifiers create a breathable mist that disperses throughout a room. Unlike vaporizers, they do not boil water and are therefore kid safe. However, unlike nebulizers and (occasionally) vaporizers they do not disperse any sort of medication. Nonetheless, the mist itself can be helpful for those with asthma, allergies or respiratory diseases. Because the mist is spread out, it can also treat dry skin.

How’s it work? Inside the flutter valve is a small steel ball in a cone shaped valve. As you exhale, the ball moves up and down, doing two things—a) vibrating your airways and b) making you exhale against resistance.

Why’s that good? The vibration opens up your airways, facilitating the movement of mucus. Exhaling against resistance creates back pressure or positive pressure which allows mucus to move from peripheral airways to the larger central airways so it can be coughed out.

There are two types of Acapella Flutter Valve. The green or high flow flutter valve is for users who can exhale at 15 liters per minute or more for at least three seconds. This works for most users. If your lungs are lower volume, you can use the blue or low flow flutter valve.

To use, simply—

1. Breathe in and out regularly through the valve 5 times. Then breathe in and out slowly 5 times. Your exhalations should be about 3 times longer than your inhalations.
2. Keep alternating between regular and slow breathes. At the end of each exhalation, hold your breath 2 to 3 seconds.
3. After 5 or 6 exhalations try to cough if you have not done so already. This will help get rid of mucus.
4. Repeat until no further mucus is expelled. This should take between 10 and 20 minutes.

The Acapella Flutter Valve is designed to be easily cleaned and sterilized. Plus, it can be used with your mask or mouthpiece nebulizer. Good luck!

Inhalers

The main advantage of inhalers is how small they are. Granted there are many lightweight portable nebulizers, but these can’t slip into your pocket as easily. Inhalers are often recommended for those who play sports, so they’ll always have something on hand. Plus, inhalers deliver medicine very quickly. In order to use an inhaler correctly, you must be able to coordinate depressing the canister while breathing inward. Spacers work as an intermediate collection container to hold the medication until you breathe it in.

Nebulizers

Nebulizers can take between five and ten minutes to deliver medicine. However, the slower process insures the user is able to take in all the medication, whereas with the inhaler it’s easy to lose some of it. Also, inhalers can be difficult for children as they require more coordination. That’s why nebulizers are typically recommended for young children—though they are often preferred by adults as well.

The other advantage of nebulizers is that the mist itself helps to open one’s airways so they can breathe easier. Being able to inhale deeply is difficult during asthma attacks and with some respiratory conditions. Nebulizers get the medication directly into the lungs even if you cannot or are too young to take a deep breath.

1.       Hot Coffee

Did you know coffee was the main anti-asthmatic drug of the nineteenth century? Did you know coffee drinkers have one-third fewer asthma symptoms than everyone else? Turns out caffeine has a bronchodilating effect. Or, in English, caffeine helps open up your airways so you can breathe better. Just FYI, this isn’t a recommended treatment for children.

2.       Keep Out Dust

Dust mites are one of the biggest asthma triggers. Everything from using airtight mattress covers to regular cleaning can go a long way in keeping your asthma symptoms under control. One strategy you may not have heard of is putting cheesecloth over your air ducts to keep dust and other allergens from constantly recirculating.

3.       Garlic/Ginger Tea

Take four cloves of garlic and boil them in a cup of water for four minutes. Then drink like tea. Or take a palm sized piece of ginger, chop it up, and do the same. Or combine them. Any way you make them, these teas should prevent asthma flare ups and are also said to fight colds.

4.       Chili Pepper

Much like coffee, chili peppers and other spicy foods help open up your airways. Capsaicin, the chemical irritant that makes chili peppers spicy, doubles as an anti-inflammatory. Plus, spicy foods stimulate fluid in your mouth, throat, and lungs. This fluid then thins out your mucus so you can cough it up easier.

5.       Back Massage

More than 14 individual and group muscles are at work when you inhale and exhale. Many of these lie between your neck and lower back. When they’re too tight, they stop you from taking full deep breathes. So if you ever needed an excuse to get a back massage—there you go.

*These home remedies should not be used in place of your asthma medication, but as a part of your entire care plan.

A few, actually. This isn’t an uncommon problem—many children resist nebulizer treatments. Here are several simple ways to make the process easier for you and your little one.

1. Make It Less Scary. Depending on how old your child is, they might find nebulizer machines scary. For these children, we offer several pediatric nebulizers designed to look like penguins, pandas, dogs, fire trucks and a variety of other kid friendly shapes. Also, many parents find it useful to turn on the nebulizer before putting the mask on their child. This way your child hears the motor and sees the mist so it won’t come as a scary surprise later.
2. Let Her Hold the Mask. Often kids are more at ease if they get to hold the nebulizer mask themselves, as this gives them some control over the process.
3. Entertain Her. Nebulizer treatments aren’t the most exciting thing in the world. Reading a book to your daughter or letting her watch cartoons helps make the time go by a lot quicker.
4. Make It a Game. Different kids respond better to different tactics, but here are a few we’ve heard—let your child use an extra mask to give her favorite toy a pretend treatment. Tell your child that she is a dragon, blowing out smoke. Or, if your child is old enough, try a building block nebulizer.
5. Use a Pacifier Attachment. Depending on the age of your child, they might be more at ease while using a pacifier. You can either let them use their pacifier under the mask or get a pacifier attachment to put on the nebulizer instead of a mask.

With these simple tricks, your child should be comfortably using a nebulizer in no time. Good luck!

When to Consider an Intranasal Treatment:

• In the past, intranasal treatments were only considered after exhausting all other options (sinus surgery, oral antibiotics)
• Now, intranasal nebulizers are tried before sinus surgery to improve rhino sinusitis symptoms
• Consider intranasal treatment options after consulting your doctor

Why Use Intranasal Treatments Over Traditional Nebulizer Treatments?

• It's the only way to effectively reach the upper airways where medication deposition doesn't occur during a regular nebulizer treatment
• Intranasal treatments have shown a very consistent particle size able to reach the infected tissue in the upper airways
• Meant as a way to combat sinusitis after oral antibiotics and sinus surgery have failed
• Intranasal treatments have shown higher success rate and longer lasting results – 300% longer than other nebulizer treatments

Nebulizer systems like the PARI SinuStar are specifically designed to treat the upper airways. This PARI nebulizer is the only FDA approved system for aerosol treatments for the upper airways. Be sure to consult your doctor about this type of treatment if you suffer from rhino sinusitis or continual nasal allergies.

How Air Purifiers Work:

• A Fan draws air into the air cleaner
• Air passes through air filter, capturing asthma/allergy irritating particles
• A top air purifier will often feature a carbon filter that removes odors at this stage of air filtration
• Once passing through the filter, air recirculates into the room

This process continues, drawing in all of a room's air, making the air cleaner each time it passes through the filter. There are different types of air filters and air purifiers that clean the air in different ways. Some will remove odors (carbon filters) and other will even kill bacteria in the air using a UV light within the air cleaner. Carbon filters and HEPA filters are often combined to remove odors and irritating particles from the air. Be sure to buy the correct type of filter(s) for your intended use.

Important Things to Know About Home Air Cleaners:

• Most air purifiers use a filter
• HEPA air filters are the best air cleaners – they capture the smallest particles (.3 microns or larger)
• Air filters must be regularly replaced – check your instructions to see when to replace
• Home air purifiers have room size limitations – check the max room size your purifier can clean
• Some filter-less home air cleaners use ozone to clean the air –not the best air cleaners as they tend to leave behind asthma irritating ozone

Air purifiers should be placed in rooms you frequently spend the most time in to be most effective. Consider putting an air cleaner in your bedroom since you typically spend around 8 hours sleeping. Even the best air cleaner can only clean a single room, so consider adding air cleaners to the rooms you frequent the most.

Things to Include in an Asthma Action Plan:

• A list of all your known asthma triggers – things to avoid such as pollen, dust, dander, etc.
• Potential changes you can make to avoid your asthma triggers
• List your asthma medications that help you prevent/control your symptoms
• Record your optimum peak flow meter reading to compare that number to different days'; readings – informs you of how well your lungs are working
• Course of action in case you have an asthma attack

An accurate asthma action plan may take some time to create, but it ensures you won’t forget anything.  It also informs others of your asthma related information in case you are unable to speak due to an emergency – potentially lifesaving as others can get you your medication. It's also very important to regularly discuss your asthma action plan with your doctor to keep it up to date and as effective as possible.

Other Tips for Better Breathing with Asthma:

• Avoid stressors in your life as they can lead to an asthma attack
• Tumble dry your pillow to kill dust mites (a common trigger)
• Get a flu vaccination each year
• Buy an air purifier to clean the air in your home
• Allergens make breathing harder – consider allergy shots to prevent seasonal allergies
• Use a peak flow meter often to keep track of your breathing
• Keep your nebulizer for home use accessible and clean, with all parts together
• Keep a portable nebulizer with you so you can take a treatment whenever necessary

By following these guidelines you will be on your way to better breathing.  For safety, always consult your doctor when making changes to your current asthma action plan.

This study's findings are significant because they show a correlation between an allergy determined at an early age and the development of asthma later in life. This gives scientists the opportunity to investigate methods of preventing asthma later in a child’s life because they have identified a targeted group to work with. Dust mites were not found to cause asthma, but instead an allergic reaction to them has shown that an asthma diagnosis later in life is more likely.

But What's Causing The Increase?

• The falling rain ruptures pollen grains, releasing allergens that can be inhaled
• While the size of the pollen particles decreases after being struck by falling rain, the area they take up increases
• This widens the area people can be affected in
• The heavy winds from the storm continue to spread the pollen particles, leaving them to eventually fall to the ground after a few days

Fungal spores, another common asthma trigger, also have been shown as a main culprit for increasing asthma symptoms and emergency room visits after a thunderstorm.  The fungal spores react in the same way as pollen particles, breaking up from colliding with the falling water and then spread throughout a wide area due to the storm’s gusty winds.

What Should I Do?

• Watch the weather to know when a storm is coming
• Use a peak flow meter to determine how well your lungs are functioning before the storm hits
• You might increase your nebulizer treatments with preventative medication – be sure to consult your doctor first
• Keep your windows closed for a few days to prevent the pollen and fungal spores from entering your home

Thunderstorms are unavoidable, but an asthma attack as a result from a storm is.  Knowledge of when the storm is coming will give you enough time to make the necessary preparations.  And even if no storm is on the horizon, always keep track of how well your lungs are functioning by using a peak flow meter.

Benefits of NE-U22V and its Vibrating Mesh Technology:

• Completely silent operation lets you take a treatment anywhere
• Very consistent particle size makes for one of the best treatments possible
• Ultra-fast treatments let you get back to your activities
• A travel nebulizer – battery operation lets you use it anywhere

These benefits make it hard to argue against the Omron NE-U22V being the best portable nebulizer available. The technology itself is where the magic happens, so let’s take a closer look:

How the Vibrating Mesh Technology Works:

• Omron NE-U22V features a mesh cap just above the medication bottle
• Mesh cap has over a thousand tiny laser-drilled holes
• Submerge mesh cap in medication by slightly tilting it toward you to create the aerosol li>Mesh cap silently vibrates, drawing medication through the tiny holes like a pump li>Small holes break medication down into a very consistent particle size, forming the mist you inhale

For those who need nebulizer treatments, there are options to choose from regarding how you receive your treatment: jet nebulizer, ultrasonic nebulizer, and the newer Omron nebulizer that uses Vibrating Mesh Technology. If you’re looking for a new travel nebulizer to take with you, and you’d like to have one of the best treatments possible, consider purchasing the silent Omron NE-U22V.

How to Maintain Your Nebulizer Machine:

• Never remove compressor's outer casing due to risk of electric shock
• Read the compressor's instructions – a cleaning procedure is always given and must be followed
• Change the air filter! – old, dirty filters hinder your compressor, eventually causing it to breakdown
• Wipe down compressor's casing with a damp cloth to keep it free of dust and other asthma triggers
• Never spray fluids onto the compressor, as this may damage the internal components
• Cover the compressor to prevent contaminants from settling on it when not in use

Not only is it important to care for your nebulizer compressor, but you must also care for the actual nebulizer – the place where the medication turns into a mist. Without proper cleaning, bacteria will grow on the nebulizer, posing a risk for infection during your next treatment. Don't worry, cleaning the nebulizer isn't hard.

How to Maintain Your Nebulizer:

• Clean your nebulizer and parts after every use (except for tubing)
• If there's moisture in the tubing, run the compressor without the nebulizer to dry it out
• Check manual for cleaning instructions – typically, reusable nebulizers are dishwasher safe but disposable must be cleaned in white vinegar/distilled water solution
• Replace parts when necessary – 2 weeks for disposable nebulizer and 6 months for a reusable nebulizer
• Replace tubing when you replace your nebulizer
• Masks and mouthpieces must also be replaced
• If any part seems damaged, don't use it – just replace to avoid bacterial contamination

By following these simple procedures you not only will keep your compressor and nebulizer set running as long as possible, but you'll also keep your parts free of bacteria and other harmful contaminants.

This is a significant finding because currently doctors do not have good methods of treating non-allergic sinus congestion. Previously, scientists were unable to administer capsicum annum without the help of an anesthetic due to the intense heat, but now a form has been developed where it can be used continuously. While this is a significant advancement, don’t expect to see a capsicum annum based congestion reliever on your local drug store's shelves just yet.

These simple rules to follow can drastically increase your indoor air quality. Regular cleaning is by far the most important of these dos, but ventilation is a close second. Be mindful of the cleaning supplies you buy, as some may contain more harmful fumes than others – make sure they're green cleaning products, which tend to have less fumes. In the summer and winter especially, it is critical to change out the air in your home as it typically stays stagnant in order to maintain your desired temperature – just occasionally open a few windows to breathe easier.

Asthma Control Bedding:

• Breathable Mattress Encasement – Because you spend around 8 hours sleeping every night, it's important to protect that area from asthma triggers like dust mites. These covers encase your bed preventing dust mites from making a home in your mattress.
• Box Spring Covers – Dust mites will also find a home within your box spring, cover it up to prevent them from living too close for comfort.
• Pillow Covers – In conjunction with your mattress cover, these covers reduce the triggers that can build up on your pillow, making the air coming off your headrest cleaner and your sleep sounder.
• Comforter/Duvet Encasements – These protect down comforters from becoming home to asthma irritating dust mites and their droppings, letting you pull up the covers without worry of hindering your breathing.

These bedding products control asthma triggers in the bedroom, the most important area since you typically spend the most time there. Other asthma control devices exist that can make living with asthma more manageable outside the bedroom.

Asthma Control Devices:

• Peak Flow Meter – Meters like these measure your lung capacity, letting you compare readings from various days to show you how well your lungs are presently working.
• Oximeters – Pulse oximeters enable you to see how well your lungs are moving oxygen into your bloodstream. Lower oxygen levels could predict the onset of an asthma attack, giving you a warning of when you are susceptible.
• Air Purifiers – These capture airborne asthma triggers in a filter, cleaning the air inside your home. The best air cleaners feature a UV light that also kills bacteria.
• Nebulizer – One of the most effective products, these better breathing machines administer prescription medication directly to your lungs in an effort to open up constricted airways and remove breath-hindering secretions.

Asthma control is attainable, and can be easier using these products. Improve your bedroom first since it harbors more asthma triggers than any other room – consider using an air purifier there first before other rooms. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting nebulizer treatments as they are not for everyone.

What Are Endotoxins?

• Endotoxins are a lesser known asthma trigger that can inflame and irritate airways
• They come from bacteria living in dust
• Endotoxins are released into the air when the bacterium’s cell wall is ruptured
• Since they exist in dust, endotoxins tend to be in more dirty areas, but they can spread to any part of the home
• Highest concentrations of endotoxins typically found in kitchen and living room floor dust

You only have to worry about endotoxins inside your home, since the bacteria living in the dust are unable to build up enough outside to inflame your airways. Inside the home, simple steps can be taken to reduce the amount of endotoxins in the air. And remember, reducing levels of endotoxins is all about reducing the endotoxin producing bacteria.

How to Reduce Endotoxins:

• Wash bed sheets weekly in hot water
• Clean more! This includes leaving less clutter around to clean every nook and cranny in your home
• Carpeting harbors endotoxin producing bacteria – be sure to regularly vacuum
• Purchase allergy care bedding such as mattress covers and allergy preventing pillow cases
• Don’t eat in bed – bacteria will thrive on crumbs left behind

Regularly cleaning all areas of your home is the best way to prevent endotoxins from building up inside and becoming problematic. However, if you or your child has asthma, be sure to open a window while cleaning to prevent asthma triggering fumes (like those from ammonia and bleach) from making the condition any worse.

Why Replace the Filter?

• An old, dirty filter has bacteria on it that can cause a harmful infection in your body
• Old filters don't let as much air pass through to the compressor, making it work harder, increasing the risk for a breakdown
• Filters cannot be cleaned – cleaning tends to make it easier for bacteria to thrive
• New filters provide your nebulizer treatments with clean, bacteria free air – making them more effective

Don't ever attempt to wash an old filter to avoid replacement, as this is a great way to cause permanent damage to your compressor. A wet or clogged filter will ruin the compressor's motor, an irreparable part meaning the entire unit must be replaced. It is impossible to completely clean the filter – some dirt/bacteria will always remain, increasing your risk for infection.

How to Replace the Filter:

• Be sure to read your compressor's instructions regarding how to replace the filter – the following are just simple guidelines to get you started
• Remove the nebulizer machine's filter cap, sometimes a coin may be needed
• Remove the filter with your hand or other manufacturer device designed to remove the filter
• Throw the old filter away – don't wash it!
• Insert new filter and close filter cap
• You're now ready to take your more effective nebulizer treatment

A good way to remember when to change out your nebulizer machine's filter is to check it before every treatment. By doing this you'll ensure you always have a good filter for the nebulizer treatment, reducing the possibility of a breakdown or infection.

• Most masks are bottom loading, meaning they fit on the top part of the neb set due to the mask's elbow piece
• An example of this type of mask is the Super Spike Dog Mask – see how the part under the nose goes down to attach to the nebulizer?

• Front loading masks, like the PARI Bubbles the Fish Mask attach horizontally
• This type of mask fits neb sets with a similar horizontal opening (see image below)

• Sometimes front loading masks, like Bubbles the Fish, come with an elbow piece to let it work with bottom or front loading neb sets – be sure to read the product description!
• On the other hand, bottom loading masks won't work with front loading neb kits!

There's a big difference between front loading and bottom loading nebulizer masks, so be sure you're selecting the correct one to match with the nebulizer you own. If you have any questions about what mask will work with which nebulizer, please give us a call at 1-800-998-7750, and we'll be happy to answer any question you may have.

• Neb sets are interchangeable, for example a MABIS neb set will work with your DeVilbiss compressor
• Nebulizers only require compressed air to work, which makes the tubing the determining factor in compatibility
• As long as the tubing fits on both the neb set and the compressor's air outlet, the neb set and nebulizer machine will work together
• Nebulizer tubing is made to be universal, even if the ends slightly vary from one tube to the next, but be sure to read the tubing's description to be sure
• Changing your nebulizer can dramatically affect the speed of your treatment – it is actually the most important part of your nebulizer system

So if they all work together, what should I look for in my nebulizer? There are a few things to look for. First, if you are going to be using the mouthpiece, make sure it is the shape you are looking for. Some mouthpieces are at a 90 degree angle from the nebulizer, while others are set on another angle. You will also want to see if it is disposable or reusable. While reusable neb sets are more expensive to start, it will last 6 months, saving you money on replacing disposable nebs during that time. It is important to replace your nebulizer at least every 6 months to keep it working at an optimal level.

Advantages of Respironics Sidestream Nebulizers:

• Works with all standard compressor nebulizer machines
• Uses newer technology to decrease treatment times (typically under 10 minutes)
• Nebulizer treatment times are shorter because Sidestream Nebulizers use 5 times the aerosol producing jet holes
• More jet holes means more medication enters your lungs with each breath
• Produces very consistent particle size of less than 5 microns
• Compatible with masks and other standard attachments – just like traditional nebulizers

Reasons for Upgrading to Respironics Sidestream Nebulizer:

• Medication is nebulized at a faster rate
• Faster rate of nebulization delivers nebulizer treatments in much less time
• More effective delivery – Sidestream nebulizers output a consistently respirable particle size
• Less time spent taking a nebulizer treatment means more time spent with loved ones

These differences between traditional and Sidestream nebulizers can have a big effect on your nebulizer treatment. Respironics Sidestream Nebulizers have faster treatment times than traditional jet nebulizers, yet they tend to waste more medication. This is a tradeoff you need to weigh.

Because of the increased wastage, Respironics Sidestream Nebulizers should not be used with the antibiotic TOBI® that's used to treat cystic fibrosis. If you've been prescribed TOBI® to treat your cystic fibrosis, consider using a PARI nebulizer, specifically the LC Plus model as it has been recommended by the FDA. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider about your medication and which type of nebulizer works best with it.

Benefits of Using an Asthma Spacer:

• Makes it easier to coordinate inhaling with pressing MDI release button – great for the very young and elderly
• Masks can be used to facilitate better inhalation
• Provides more medication each time
• Holds medication from your MDI to waste less – making MDIs more effective every time you use one
• Without a holding chamber, MDIs leave a lot of medication in the back of the throat to be swallowed – never reaching your lungs
• Less swallowed medication means less side effects – increasing comfort after a treatment

Using an asthma spacer makes it easier for you or your child to take a treatment, especially if going through an asthma attack. Not All Asthma Spacers Are Created Equally: the non-electrostatic walls on the PARI Vortex® prevent medication from sticking to the sides – letting you get the best treatment possible. Be sure to check that the next asthma spacer you purchase has non-electrostatic walls so you know you're getting the most out of your treatment.

Clearing Child Congestion:

• Since babies can't blow their noses, use a nasal aspirator to suction mucus out the nose to open airways
• Stay hydrated! – your child's lungs work better when hydrated so have him drink lots of water
• Humidifiers are great at hydrating airways to thin mucus and make it easier to remove (adults can use too!)
• Use vapor rubs overnight to clear airways – read warning label (don't use if your child is asthmatic)
• Soup can be a great way to hydrate and provide congestion-fighting nutrients
• Kids can get into anything – make sure they wash their hands before eating to stop spreading germs

Children have smaller airways, making congestion for them more likely. MABIS makes a battery powered aspirator that also plays music to soothe your baby while removing mucus. All of the tips for children work for adults, but there are certain things (like blowing your nose) that adults do but a baby can't.

Clearing Congestion in Adults:

• Blow your nose correctly – short gentle blows with one nostril closed are more productive, blowing too hard can push mucus back into sinuses
• Saline wash – modudose saline used in a nebulizer loosens mucus making it easier to blow out
• Steam therapy – MABIS steam inhalers let you inhale steam that thins mucus so you can get it out easier

Preventing is always the best treatment, so consider these practices to keep from getting congested.

Preventing Congestion:

• Frequently wash bedding and kids' stuffed animals as both will attract irritating dust and pet hair
• Avoid nasal irritants such as smoke, cologne/perfume, hair spray, fumes (paint, gasoline), etc.
• Avoid mucus producing foods, such as coffee and dairy products – drink water or juice instead
• Use a humidifier to increase a dry room’s humidity to keep your airways moist

• Omron Adult Mask – This mask is made of silicon to create a soft feel that won't create any discomfort during use. Masks like this one focus the nebulizer treatment to alleviate any issues you may have with keeping a tight seal with your lips around the nebulizer mouthpiece.
• PARI SinuStar Nebulizer Set – The SinuStar nebulizer kit has one of the smallest particle size output of any nebulizer. Meant specifically for intranasal treatments, this nebulizer kit also comes with a nasal piece to direct the nebulizer treatment's flow to the smaller upper respiratory airways.
• Angled Mouthpieces – These let you take a treatment more comfortably, enabling you to lean back to a 45 degree angle relative to the nebulizer. Helps alleviate back discomfort for those who need multiple treatments in a day.
• Acapella Flutter Valves – These attach to the nebulizer mask/mouthpiece and add resistance and vibrations to the treatment, which loosens lung secretions more effectively. These are mainly used by people with Cystic Fibrosis to help clear airways.
• GO-2 Achieve Fingertip Pulse Oximeter – Oximeters are very helpful if you need regular nebulizer treatments. Oximeters inform you of your blood oxygen level so you can see how well your lungs are functioning and how well your body is receiving your nebulizer treatments.
• Warm Mist Humidifier – Humidifiers put moisture into the air in your home, which helps keep your airways from becoming dry. Dry airways often occur during the winter and are uncomfortable, and can often lead to a dry cough.

Each of these items has its own specific use that, when used together, can create a treatment tailored to your specific needs. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider about any adjustments to your current nebulizer treatments.

Advantages of the PARI TREK S with LC Sprint Nebulizer:

• Average treatment time is only 5 minutes with the LC Sprint nebulizer
• PARI nebulizers uses breath-enhanced technology to speed up nebulization rate and waste less medication
• Take a nebulizer treatment nearly anywhere! – TREK S can use rechargeable batteries, home or car powering
• Perfect for overseas travelers – operable on voltages found outside the U.S.

But What is Breath-Enhanced Technology?

• Used only by PARI nebulizers
• Uses your breath to speed up the nebulization rate of the medication as you inhale
• This creates a denser mist of nebulized medication that finishes the medication cup quicker
• As you exhale, that rate slows down to conserve medication

A versatile nebulizer system like this one has options for masks fitting both children and adults. This gives you and your child options on how you want to administer your nebulizer treatments, letting you choose the most comfortable method.

Comfort also comes in the form of quietness. This compressor features a more quiet operation than other compressor nebulizers, which shouldn't disturb you or others during nebulizer treatments. Many of our customers attest to its quiet operation, just see for yourself .

• Pacifier Attachment – This nebulizer attachments for infants increases the medication deposition within your baby's lungs. Your child will receive the nebulizer treatment while suckling on the calming pacifier.
• PARI Baby Conversion Kit – This kit comes in various sizes so you can find the correct mask to fit your baby. Similar to the pacifier attachment, this lets your baby receive a treatment no matter how he's positioned (sitting, standing, or lying down).
• Playful Nebulizer Masks – Masks such as the Bubbles the Fish pediatric mask help comfort your child during nebulizer treatments due to its colorful appearance. It also makes the treatment more efficient by focusing the mist to provide more medication with each breath.
• Adorable Animal Shaped Humidifiers – One of these animal shaped Crane humidifiers is sure to compliment your child's bedroom while humidifying the air, alleviating congestion and dry airways – a great alternative to over-the-counter medicines for the common cold.
• Asthma Holding Chambers/Spacers – Holding chambers (sometimes called spacers) make it easier for your child to receive medication from his/her MDI (metered dose inhaler). It can be difficult for a child to synchronize inhalation with the medication disbursement, but holding chambers make it easy by holding the medicine until it's inhaled.
• TruZone Peak Flow Meter – Peak flow meters like this one are great for checking your child's lungs function. This is important because a drop in lung capacity can be a precursor to an asthma attack. By using a peak flow meter daily, you and your child can be one step ahead of an asthma attack.

Each of these nebulizer accessories works to improve your child's lung function in its own way. Nebulizer devices such as these help you create a style of treatment that fits best with your child and his/her specific needs. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider before making any alterations to your current nebulizer treatments.

Not only does MABIS's new ultrasonic nebulizer look stylish, it also features some of the shortest treatment times (under 6 minutes for most medications). Because this nebulizer is ultrasonic it is essentially silent, so your child won't disturb fellow students while taking a nebulizer treatment. This ultrasonic nebulizer comes with a rechargeable battery and home and car powering adapters, making it one of the most portable nebulizers available. Plus, its light weight (less than 8 ounces) means this ultrasonic nebulizer won't become a burden when your child takes this machine to school.

Check out the NebPak here, and you'll be well on your way to making your child one of the coolest kids in school!

Over the counter asthma inhalers currently use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to generate the misted medicine many asthmatics rely on to provide quick relief from asthma symptoms. CFCs have been proven to breakdown the ozone layer, and the move to stop their dispersion into the atmosphere has lead lawmakers to make over the counter asthma inhalers obsolete. Instead, asthmatics will be forced to get a prescription inhaler that uses hydrofluoroalkane in place of the environmentally damaging CFCs. Unfortunately, lawmakers aren't worrying about damaging the pocketbooks of asthmatics as prescription inhalers using the new aerosol cost anywhere from $30 to $60, a large increase from the $20 cost of the over the counter variant. If you currently rely on an over the counter inhaler, be sure to consult your healthcare provider about making the switch to a new prescription inhaler.

Benefits of Using a Pulse Oximeter:

• Enables you to see your blood oxygen level and compare that level to what is normal (95% to 98% is normal for people living at or around sea level)
• Measures oxygen is in your blood, thus telling you when an asthma symptoms may be worsening – even before you feel them
• Lets you know how effective your nebulizer treatments are at keeping your airways open
• Great if you use supplemental oxygen to see how well your body is using the added oxygen
• Displays your current heart rate – another sign of an oncoming asthma attack
• Great for athletes to optimize their training
• Lets you and your doctor communicate better with concrete data to discuss

There are plenty of benefits associated with pulse oximeters, some of them potentially lifesaving. If you know your blood oxygen level, then you know exactly how well your respiratory system is moving oxygen through your blood vessels. Knowing this information lets you and your doctor determine the effectiveness of your current Asthma Control Plan.

Early Warning Signs of an Asthma Related Attack:

• Coughing often, particularly at night
• Shortness or loss of breath
• Feeling of tiredness or weakness while exercising
• Wheezing
• Mood changes – tiredness, grouchiness, anxiety
• Peak flow meter readings are less than normal
• Developing of typical cold symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion)
• Oximeter reading displays a smaller blood oxygen level

If you have an asthma attack, it is vital that you follow the asthma action plan you and your doctor have come up with. Don’t be afraid to call 911 either, as many attacks can be life-threatening, especially if you’re in your action plan’s “red zone.”

How to Develop an Effective Asthma Action Plan:

• Take your child to the doctor before the school year to ensure your current plan is up to date
• Doctor’s visit will determine whether the meds currently in use are as effective as they should be
• Include description of your child’s typical symptoms and any pertinent information about the medication
• Put all your contact information so the school knows how to contact you during an emergency
• Include necessary considerations regarding physical activity and your child – preemptive medicines and exercise modifications
• Mention all possible triggers for your child’s asthma (i.e. weather, air pollution, food, dust, etc.)

After you’ve made an action plan for your child, be sure to pass it out to everyone who will be around your child, such as teachers, nurses, coaches, and the bus driver. You can find an asthma action plan form from the American Lung Association.

Other Helpful Tips:

• Your child has the right to carry asthma meds with him while in school
• The flu is bad for asthma, so vaccinate you and your child before each school year
• Give the school nurse a portable nebulizer to help your child if he requires routine nebulizer treatments
• Nebulizer treatments deliver medicine directly to the lungs to open airways and make breathing easier

Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your asthma action plan to make sure the changes will be effective.

Process of Proper Lung Function:

• Your lungs expand, drawing in outside air
• Oxygen from the outside air reaches your alveoli (small air sacs) at the bottom of your lungs
• In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream
• Carbon dioxide then takes the oxygen’s place within the alveoli
• You breath out, releasing the carbon dioxide into the outside air
• This process is continually repeated

As the air you draw into your lungs goes further down to the alveoli, the airways become smaller and smaller. The narrowing airways affect your nebulizer treatment because the smaller airways restrict a nebulizer treatment’s larger particles from reaching the deepest depths of your lungs. This is why particle size is so important – particles too large can’t pass through the narrowest of airways. On the flipside, particles too small will flow straight through the lungs and won’t be absorbed by your alveoli.

How to Maintain Proper Lung Function:

• Don’t smoke – tobacco carries carcinogens and the smoke damages lung tissue
• Exercise often to open smaller airways not used during rest
• Maintain a balanced diet – Vitamin C and D, Magnesium and Selenium all have shown to promote healthy lung function
• Vitamin C and D help control your immune system, which fights off infections and inflammation (found in fruits and fortified dairy products respectively)
• Magnesium helps naturally open your airways, reducing airway constriction that hinders breathing (found in peanuts, corn, rice, low-fat dairy products)
• Selenium promotes a healthy immune system and repairs damaged lung tissue that could otherwise lead to cancer (found in fresh veggies, seafood, and low-fat chicken)

Methods of Treating Your Pet:

• Place a towel or other cover over a cage then place high flow rate nebulizer inside the cage to create an aerosol chamber
• Hold the nebulizer mouthpiece very close to your pets nose and mouth
• Use a soft mask over your pet’s face (best) – pediatric masks work well for most animals
• One method may work better than others, so experiment to see which one is best

At the end of the treatment, your animal’s gums and tongue should appear very pink, showing the treatment was effective and your pet is receiving adequate oxygen. If you do not notice this, seek help from your veterinarian.

While effective treatment is important, prevention is always the best treatment. Here are some ways you can prevent respiratory distress in your pet:

• Make sure your pet has all the proper vaccinations – the best way to prevent infections
• Give plenty of water to maintain proper hydration– lungs work better when hydrated
• Mix nebulizer treatment solutions with distilled water, as tap water carries bacteria
• Don’t smoke indoors and vacuum/dust frequently to avoid common allergens
• Avoid strong scents and aerosols as they may irritate sensitive airways
• Use low dust, clay litter to reduce airborne irritants
• Avoid overexerting your animal with long walks or intense activities on hot days
• Buy an air purifier to remove asthma triggers from the air
• Lookout for actions or activities that precede an asthma attack in your pet, then try to avoid them
• Promote a relaxed environment in your home since stress is a common trigger of asthma attacks

Your pet may fight the treatment at first, but using persistence and trying different methods will let you find which one works best for your animal. Give your pet affection during the treatment and a treat afterwards to build healthy compliance. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting treatments and if you have any difficulty.

As you can see, the differences can have a big effect on your nebulizer treatment. For those who are looking for the most up to date technology, check out vibrating mesh technology (VMT) with the Omron MicroAir Nebulizer System. It uses vibrating mesh to create an aerosol. This is the best of both worlds because it is silent but does not add any heat to the medication. Remember to check with your health care provider if you have any questions about what kind of nebulizer would work best for your treatment.

• Summer allergens such as grass pollen and pet dander can be problematic. Be sure to keep some of your allergy medication close at hand in case your allergy symptoms start to flare up.
• Summer heat lessens the air quality sometimes increasing pollutants, which make breathing more difficult. Watch the weather to stay informed of the daily temperatures, heat index and air quality warnings!
• Remain cool! Your body uses more oxygen to lower your temperature. By staying cool you use less oxygen, so you can breathe easier. Also, the heat can trigger bronchospasms which cause the muscles lining your airways to contract and cramp, making breathing harder.
• Don’t overexert yourself! Working or exercising too much drastically raises your body temperature. Avoiding the heat of the day is very important, as it can quickly exhaust you. Consider doing yard work or other outdoor activities in the early morning hours or at night after the sun has started to set. If you must work outside during the day, be sure to take frequent breaks.
• Park your car in the shade and/or keep your windows cracked to prevent excessive heat. Keeping the windows open just slightly lets the hot air move through the car, instead of just building up inside it. When you can, start your car a few minutes before you actually have to leave to allow it to cool before you enter, just as you would allow it to heat up in the winter.
• Don’t miss a treatment! Portable nebulizers are great for summer trips. They are also handy to ensure you are prepared for a treatment even when the power is out. While you don’t want to ever miss a treatment, you also don’t want to have to cut your summer fun short, so having a portable nebulizer to bring along with you helps preserve the fun and your health.
• And, last but certainly not least, STAY HYDRATED! This is perhaps the most important rule, as without proper hydration your body begins to work less efficiently. Plus, cold water naturally cools your body back to its normal temperature. Keep some close by whenever you’re outside.

But what are air quality warnings? Air quality warnings are determined by government agencies that sample a large quantity of air on a daily basis. This air is checked for pollutants and then a colored air quality warning is issued each day. These colors show the Air Quality Index (AQI) from green to red that correspond to the AQI’s value for that day. The higher the AQI, the worse the air is. Green means the air quality is good, yellow is a moderate warning, orange is unhealthy air for sensitive groups (such as those with asthma), red is unhealthy for everyone, and purple and maroon colors represent very unhealthy and hazardous air respectively.

What makes the air quality poor? Poor air quality is caused by pollutants from vehicles and other forms of burning fossil fuels that sunlight causes to mix with oxygen, creating ground level ozone (a toxic component to smog). Particulate matter, such as dust, soot, ash, smoke (from wood), is released from various polluting sources to become suspended in the air, also contributing to poor air quality. These pollutants make breathing harder for those with respiratory problems and healthy people alike.

Why are poor air quality days especially difficult for people with respiratory ailments? Poor air quality makes breathing more difficult because of all the asthma triggers suspended at ground level. Typically, pollutants float into the upper regions of the atmosphere where they are not inhaled. But on hot summer days when ozone is formed, these potential asthma triggers stay at ground level for everyone to inhale.

What do I do on bad air days?

1. Stay indoors with closed windows – the best way to avoid the bad air.
2. If you must venture outside, keep your car windows closed to prevent any smog from entering.
3. Don’t forget to bring your inhaler with you just in case.
4. Drink lots of fluids! Your lungs work best when properly hydrated, so drinking lots of water will help with the bad air.
5. Consider wearing a face mask that filters the air before you inhale it.
6. A portable nebulizer is great to take with you if you must leave your home, should you have trouble breathing due to the poor air.

How to Improve the Quality of the Air:

1. Don’t drive! Driving releases many ozone causing pollutant into the air, raising the potential for bad air quality warnings.
2. Use mass transit if you must go outside as these are the most environmentally friendly ways to get around.
3. Use less electricity as most power plants release pollutants into the air. Using less power means less burning of fossil fuels and in turn less pollutants in the air.

The nebulizer set included with your compressor may be a disposable or a reusable set. If you can’t boil it (according to the instructions), it is disposable. If using a disposable nebulizer, you must replace it roughly every 10 treatments, as its performance capability diminishes after each use. Even if you’re using a reusable nebulizer - that is one that can be boiled - instead of a disposable one, you must still replace it at least every six months. You may want to replace the nebulizer even sooner if you notice any discoloration, as this most likely corresponds to bacteria growth within the nebulizer. By replacing your nebulizer, you ensure that your nebulizer is generating the correct particle size for your medication, and that nebulizer treatment times remain at their minimums. Replacing the nebulizer includes replacing these nebulizer parts: the nebulizer mask or mouthpiece, the nebulizer cup (where the medication goes), and the nebulizer tubing.

Here are some signs your nebulizer needs replaced:

• No mist is coming out
• You see lots of mist (that means the particles are too large)
• Any piece is discolored
• Any piece is cracked or scratched
• You’ve been using it for 6 months or longer

If you fear you won’t remember when to change out your nebulizer, PARI has come out with a TimeStrip® device they package with each of their LC reusable nebulizers. It is a sticker that has a button you press when you first start using the new nebulizer kit and in 6 months, the word “Now” turns red, informing you it is time to replace your nebulizer set. The LC Sprint is a customer favorite because it is dishwasher safe, features an easy to fill and use flip top cup, and has a short (~5 minutes) treatment time.

The PARI TREK S is a compact unit with the power of a tabletop nebulizer. The unit weighs under a pound and is about the size of a cassette player. This compressor comes with a carrying case for easy portability, and is incredibly quiet. All models come with a multi-voltage AC power cord and a DC car adapter which makes it perfect for everything from international travel to soccer practice. It is a customer favorite because treatments average 5-6 minutes, so you can take your treatment and be on your way quickly. The PARI Trek S can easily be used with a Bubbles the Fish mask for safe and effective children’s nebulizer treatments.

Our most popular travel nebulizer for users of all ages is the Omron MicroAir nebulizer. The Omron NE-U22V unit weighs only six ounces and is about the size of a case for eyeglasses. It runs off regular AA batteries so you never have to worry about finding an outlet or making sure your battery is recharged. One of the best things about the Omron MicroAir, besides it size, is that it is silent. That means you can take a treatment at a concert, in the movie theater, or anywhere a traditional compressor nebulizer would interrupt. There are no cords or tubing to contend with, so even toddlers can safely use this machine with supervision. It works with any regular nebulizer mask for a simple, fast, and effective treatment.

Another popular model is the Respironics MicroElite nebulizer by Philips. It is the smallest compressor nebulizer available and does not have tubes. It comes with an AC adapter and DC adapter so you can power it nearly anywhere there is an outlet. It has an optional rechargeable battery which attaches to the bottom of the nebulizer without adding lots of bulk. The special MicroPlus High Efficiency reusable nebulizer attaches directly to the compressor, eliminating the need for tubing. This nebulizer set works with the MicroElite pediatric mask, making it a great choice for families on the go who are looking for a very small compressor nebulizer system.

As you can see, there are many travel nebulizers that work great for kids. Depending on your needs and priorities, any of these options would be a great choice. Don’t forget to buy the corresponding mask so your child can be comfortable and you’re assured they are receiving an effective treatment.

1. Check your manual to find out what kind of filter you need. Manuals often have part numbers you can search for.
2. If you don’t have your manual, look on the side or bottom of your compressor to find the make and model of your compressor. You must have the make and model to properly fit your compressor with a filter.
3. Don’t rely on appearances. Many filters appear the same, but they are not intended to work with your compressor.
4. Be sure you have filters on hand and do not wait until you need them to buy them. Some filters are special order and can take some time to get. Remember, you do not want to run your compressor with a dirty filter or no filter at all as it will ruin your compressor.

Filters are an important component of your compressor and you need to be sure you keep them clean and ready. Changing your filter is an easy way to maintain your compressor and help to ensure it will run for years to come.

• PARI Vios – PARI is always a popular brand.  Their new Vios system is very popular and features a regular blue model and a yellow pediatric model which includes a Bubbles the Fish mask.  All Vios systems come with two reusable nebulizer sets and a long lasting air filter, so it is basically maintenance free for up to one year. It also comes with a two compartment carrying case to help keep your nebulizer accessories safe and clean in the same bag as your compressor.
• Omron NE-C25 – This is our most inexpensive compressor model and our best value.  Omron is a reputable company and this system comes with a five year warranty, so you don’t have to sacrifice reliability for economy. It comes with one reusable nebulizer set which can be used up to 6 months and 5 replacement air filters. This allows six months use without having to replace parts.  It comes with a carrying case to keep all your items together.
• Drive Pacifica – This is a newer nebulizer that has quickly become popular.  It is ultra compact and light weight.  It comes with one disposable nebulizer set and one air filter, which should be replaced within the first month of use. Make sure to purchase extra filters and a reusable nebulizer set so you are not caught without replacement supplies.
• Inspiration Elite – This Respironics nebulizer is ideal for individuals who need to use multiple medications a day.  It is a continuous flow compressor, so it can run multiple treatments back to back without needing to cool down.  This is the most inexpensive continuous flow compressor we offer.  It comes with one disposable nebulizer set, but most of our customers opt to upgrade to the Sidestream Plus reusable nebulizer for a faster and easier treatment. The filter should be checked weekly and changed when it appears dirty.  You will want to purchase additional filters so you are prepared when it’s time for a change.
• PARI Trek S – This is a travel nebulizer compressor.  It is very popular because it can be operated at home, in the car, or with an optional rechargeable battery.  It is one of the most versatile nebulizer systems we carry.  As with the PARI Vios, it comes with two reusable nebulizer sets and a long lasting filter which can last up to 1 year.  It comes in a small carrying case, no larger than a camera bag.  The AC adapter has a built in multi-voltage adapter so it can be used throughout the world with just a plug adapter.  Treatments are as fast as 5 minutes with this quick and dependable travel nebulizer.
• MicroElite Nebulizer System – This is our smallest compressor nebulizer system.  It does not require any tubing and is ultra compact.  It has an AC adapter, DC car adapter, and an optional rechargeable battery for ease of use and portability.  It uses a MicroPlus reusable nebulizer set that lasts up to 6 months and comes with 4 replacement filters for up to 6 months of use with needing replacement items.  This is the best compressor system to use with a rechargeable battery while on the go, such as walking around or moving throughout your treatment.

 While some nebulizer systems like ultrasonic units and the MicroElite compressor system require special masks to fit square to oblong attachments, most standard nebulizer sets have the same size opening once you remove the mouthpiece.  These opening are either at the top of the nebulizer set, such as with all disposable nebulizers and some reusable ones like the Sidestream Reusable nebulizer, or in the front, such as with the PARI nebulizer sets.  This is an important difference when you are considering a mask because it effects which mask will work with your nebulizer.

 Nebulizers with the attachment on the top require a bottom loading mask.  These masks have a special elbow to allow the mask to attach to the nebulizer. Popular children’s masks disposable nebulizers and other top attaching nebulizers, are the pediatric dragon mask, Super Spike dog themed mask, and the Omron Pediatric Mask.  Adults can use any standard mask.

 Front loading nebulizers, like the PARI nebulizer sets, require special masks which attach directly to the nebulizer.  Front loading nebulizers do not need an elbow to attach.  PARI offers both adult and children’s masks that are made of soft silicone and do not have any metal.  They conform to the shape of the face and offer specially placed vents that prevent concentration of medication around sensitive facial areas.

 Babies and toddlers often require special masks. One mask alternative for infants is a pacifier attachment. This special accessory attaches to any top opening nebulizer set and allows the child to receive medication through the nose while sucking on a pacifier.  It provides a very direct treatment without use of a mask. This can be particularly beneficial for children who fight wearing a mask. When a child is hysterically crying, they only breathe in the top part of their lungs, preventing the medication from getting deeper in their lungs.  PARI offers baby conversion kits for their nebulizers which allows the treatments to be conducted while sitting, reclining, or even lying down.  This can help parents give a sleeping or relaxed baby a treatment. 

 With all these mask options, you can surely find one which will fit your needs.  Remember to check how your mouthpiece attaches to ensure a proper fitting mask.

While many nebulizers work out of the box, they often do not work their best without continual maintenance and a few tweeks.  First, most compressors come with one disposable nebulizer set.  These are the clear type of nebulizers that you get from the doctor.  Many people believe these are the best nebulizers because they come with the compressors and doctors use them in the office and often send them home with patients. But when was the last time your doctor told you to take a piece of expensive medical equipment with you? These sets are disposable and often only get about 38% of the medication in the respirable range.  This means you are only getting about 38% of the prescribed medication for the first ten treatments.

After those first treatments, the cup is intended to be thrown away, but many people go on to use them for months and even years.  The respirable range will continue to decrease, meaning you will get less and less medication.  This leads some people to believe their medication is not working, when in reality it is the nebulizer that is not working.  You will still see “steam” coming out of your nebulizer. Anything you can see is out of the respirable range, so it is actually better not to see much coming out.  While all inhaled medications are dosed with some waste in mind, simply switching your disposable nebulizer to a reusable one can double the medication administered. This means a better treatment and a more complete dose.

When buying your replacement nebulizer set, some things to keep in mind are:

• Is it reusable?
• What is the average treatment time for that nebulizer cup?
•  Is it breath enhanced?
•  Is it dishwasher safe?
•  How often will it need to be replaced?

All these questions help you get the best nebulizer for your situation.

One of our most popular reusable nebulizer sets is the PARI LC Sprint.  This easy, fast nebulizer attaches to nearly any compressor and shortens treatments to 5-7 minutes.  It is dishwasher safe and intended to be used up to 6 months.

1. After each treatment, disconnect your nebulizer set from your compressor.
2. Disconnect your tubing and set aside. Never attempt to clean your tubing. If it appears dirty or clogged, replace it.
3. Rinse any residual medication from your medication with warm, flowing water. Rinse out your mask or mouthpiece.
4. At least once a day, disinfect your nebulizer. For disposable nebulizers, you must soak them in equal parts water and white vinegar for at least 30 minutes. Rinse clean and allow to air dry. For reusable nebulizer sets, either boil for at least 5 minutes or wash in the top rack of the dishwasher.
5. After all parts have been cleaned and disinfected, store in a clean, dry place away from dirt and dust.
6. Once a week, wipe down your compressor with a damp cloth to remove and dust or build-up. This is a good time to check your air filter. Always replace any air filter which appears dirty. Using a dirty air filter will cause your compressor to malfunction.

When you follow these easy steps, cleaning and maintaining your nebulizer is a breeze!

What is a peak flow meter? A peak flow meter is a small hand-held device that measures how fast air comes out of the lungs when a person exhales forcefully. This measurement is called a peak expiratory flow (PEF) and is measured in liters per minute (lpm). A person’s PEF may drop hours or even days before asthma symptoms are noticeable.

How does a peak flow meter help?Readings from the meter can help you recognize early changes that may be signs of worsening asthma. A peak flow meter can also help you learn what triggers your symptoms and understand what symptoms indicate that emergency care is needed. Doctors use peak flow readings to decide when to stop or add medications.

How do you use a peak flow meter? To use a peak flow meter, begin by standing up. Take a deep breath in and exhale as hard and fast as possible. Repeat two more times (for a total of three and mark the highest of the three. This is your peak flow. Check your peak flow every day at about the same time to accurately measure trends.

What are normal ranges? The “normal” range depends on many factors like age, gender, and height. Each Personal Best Peak Flow Meter comes with a chart to help predict normal ranges. What is more important than fitting into the normal range is the variance between your daily tests. Your will learn what is “normal” for you and can judge changes from that value as a change in your respiratory condition.

What do you do with the results? Keep a log of your peak expiratory flow. If you start to notice increases or decreases, take note of your current regimen. If you notice progressive decreases, contact your healthcare provider to adjust your treatment. NEVER make adjustments without speaking with your healthcare provider.

Philips Respironics offers and inexpensive, popular peak flow meter. It highlights the 3 zones of asthma management so you can make objective decisions about the effectiveness of your medication. A sturdy carrying case allows you to easily take it with you.

New to Just Nebulizers: Respironics nebulizers offer another outstanding choice in respiratory drug delivery systems.  Respironics nebulizers offer quality solutions to your breathing treatment needs. Respironics nebulizers include the MicroElite Compressor nebulizer system, the MiniElite Compressor nebulizer system and the Inspiration Elite Compressor nebulizer system. Each one offers a great system to assist you in delivering breathing medication treatment.

The Inspiration Elite nebulizer is the newest system in the Respironics tabletop nebulizer family. It also weighs the least of any Respironics table top model. Durability and ease of use are key elements of this system.

Another popular member of the Respironics family is the MiniElite nebulizer. The MiniElite nebulizer is also known for its small size and easy portability. Three different power sources work with this system – 110V AC, 12V DC (car charger) or a rechargeable lithium ion battery will operate the MiniElite aerosol nebulizer wherever you happen to be.  The MiniElite is a great travel nebulizer and works with most nebulizer sets.

The MicroElite nebulizer is the smallest Respironics nebulizer. This nebulizer is as small as a cell phone with maximum portability. Easy to use and easy to travel with, the MicroElite offers quick and efficient treatment times in a package that supports active lifestyles.  Using the MicroPlus High Efficiency Nebulizer set, the MicroElite is the smallest compressor on the market today to operate tubeless.

The Respironics nebulizers are made by Phillips Healthcare to help support your medication breathing treatment needs.

As kids go back to school, it is important to remember their medical necessities. Don’t forget to send an extra MDI and holding chamber or nebulizer to school. From recess, to PE, to spelling, you never kno w when an attack might occur.

Holding chambers cost as little as $23, which is a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing your child can get the treatment he/she do desperately needs. Many chambers come equipped with masks to help the littlest patients get a safe and effective treatment. Don’t forget to send instructions for use so that all teachers, aids, and nurses are aware of your child’s condition and treatment.

If your child is used to taking nebulizer treatments, be sure to have spare or portable nebulizer available. You never know then freshly cut grass at recess may send your child into an asthma attack. Don’t forget to tell the PE teacher about your child’s asthma, as exercise and outdoor allergies can be triggers for many kids. Some small, portable nebulizers, like the Omron Micro Air (Ne-U22V) come with a convenient protective case which allows them to be tossed into a backpack. If you don’t want to invest as much into a portable nebulizer (which cost over $100), getting your child a , complete with sanitary carrying case, may take some of the stigma and fear out of taking a breathing treatment at school. From Margo Moo the cow to a Speedster Race Car, these fun, kids-themed nebulizers come with cute carrying bags that look like book bags, but house important and reliable medical equipment. You may also want to invest in some disposable nebulizer sets, so you don’t have to worry about contamination or bringing home used sets. These sets ensure your child has a clean nebulizer for every treatment.

Christina and Ali belted it out despite the cards being stacked against them.  Not only was it great publicity for the girls and their future singing career, (I am sure they have a record deal in the works) but it was also great publicity for a disease that so many struggle with.  The sisters and their two other siblings all suffer with Cystic Fibrosis.  Cystic Fibrosis is a disease that causes the body to product a thick mucus which clogs the lungs and can lead to life-threatening infections. People with Cystic Fibrosis use nebulizers to help manage and treat their condition.  The girls looked and sounded healthy and vibrant, and they helped to show people that with the proper treatment, people with Cystic Fibrosis can live full lives and follow their passion.  Kudos to Christina and Ali for their tremendous courage and for sharing their amazing story (and voices) with the world.

What’s different? The NEW Pari Vios nebulizer system has:

• An enhanced clip for holding the nebulizer cup on the compressor.  Before, the cup could slip off the side, but the enhanced clip holds the nebulizer cup tight for filling medication or storing.
• The new TIMESTRIP® which tells you when your nebulizer sets need to be changed.  The benefits to changing the PARI LC reusable nebulizers every 6 months are: consistent medication delivery, faster treatment times and reduced risk of bacterial contamination.
• A new color.  Bright blue for adult and yellow for kids makes the Vios nebulizer system fun to use.
• A two compartment carrying case. Keep your nebulizer sets and accessories clean and organized while protecting your compressor in a separate zippered compartment. 
• A FREE extended warranty.  Each Vios is packaged with a self-addressed, stamped postcard by PARI for the customer to submit their information to extend the warranty on their compressor from 5 years to 6 years. 
• Enhanced educational materials.  An updated “Big Book” of instructions have been tested and approved by COPD patients as easy-to-read and understand. 
• New games and a decoder card in the Vios Pediatric version. An updated website with information about pediatric nebulizer use helps take the stigma and scariness out of nebulizer treatments. 

For these reasons and more, the PARI Vios is sure to be the best PARI system yet.

In October 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory strongly recommending that over-the-counter cough and cold medications not be given to infants and children under two years old because of the risk of life-threatening side effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports this recommendation and urges parents to seek safer ways to soothe infants and young children suffering from colds and coughs by using a cool mist humidifier, saline nose drops and suctioning bulbs to thin and clear mucus from a baby’s nose.

While annoying, cough and cold symptoms are usually benign and self-limiting. Over-the-counter cough and cold medications will not cure these illnesses nor shorten their duration. Parents are advised to seek safer ways to nurse their children back to health.

What are the alternatives that Pediatricians recommend for a child with a cold or cough symptoms?
To make stuffy youngsters feel better and help them rest, pediatric specialists recommend:
Run a cool-mist humidifier in your child's room during naptime and at bedtime will help relieve congestion and keep the nasal passages moisturized

Use a rubber bulb syringe, found at your local drugstore, to gently loosen mucus and unclog stuffy noses.

Use saline nose drops, found at your local drugstore, to loosen mucus in the nose to allow the nose to drain more easily. Gently squirt a couple of drops of saline solution into the nasal passages.

Plenty of liquids, from water to even chicken soup. Avoid dehydration.
Many of these tips are useful for adults as well.
Contact your doctor if your child shows any of the following signs:

• Earache
• Fever lasting more than 72 hours, or, any fever in a child less than 6 months of age
• Excessive sleepiness, crankiness or fussiness
• Skin rash
• Has trouble breathing, making wheezing sounds
• Is urinating (peeing) less
• Coughing that won't go away (lasts more than a week) or is causing choking or vomiting

• Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers produces cool mist. A cool mist is generated by a thin film of water is passed over a rapidly vibrating transducer. The vibration breaks the water up into tiny droplets and propels them out into the air, increasing the humidity level with very little noise.
• Warm mist humidifiers produce a warm vapor by boiling the water in the humidifier which causes a distilled steam to be expelled into the room. This steam is like a gentle spray of warm water, as opposed to a vapor. The steam is concentrated in the area closest to the humidifier

What is the proper amount of mist?

Adjust the mist control so that the mist rises up and gets absorbed by the room air. Do not turn on too high an output as the mist cannot be absorbed by the air and accumulates on the surface around the humidifier.

If the humidifier is placed near a fan or air conditioning outlet the mist may be forced down by the foreign air stream. Change the location of the humidifier or reduce the output of the other room conditioning appliances.

The Omron Micro Air Electronic Portable Nebulizer (NE-U22V) is the world’s smallest nebulizer which utilizes Vibrating Mesh Technology (VMT).  This technology nebulizes the medication without compressing air like traditional nebulizers or heating medication like some other ultrasonic nebulizers.   The Omron Micro Air uses a vibrating mesh cap on the top of the medication cup to nebulizer the medicine.  This technology makes it safe for nebulizing most solution medications including: Albuterol®, Alupent®, Bronkosol®, Isuprel®, Pulmicort Respules®, Proventil®, Ventolin®, Xopenex®, DuoNeb® and Intal®.  The V.M.T. gives the Omron MicroAir a silent operation. 

The MicroAir weighs only six ounces and runs off two “AA” batteries making it ultra portable.  It comes with a carrying case small enough to slip in a purse or brief case.  The tubeless and cordless operation makes this nebulizer convenient and easy to get a treatment down to the last drop.  Don’t be fooled into thinking this tiny nebulizer is slow.  It nebulizes all medications at a rate of at least .25mL per minute making treatments quick and easy.  This nebulizer is a quick and effective alternative for traditional inhalers without compromising on portability. 

There are two types of nebulizers: atomizer jet and ultrasonic. The atomizer, or "compressor nebulizer," is the most common. This type uses an aerosol compressor to vaporize droplets of medicine. Ultrasonic, or "mesh nebulizers," use high-frequency sound waves to make liquid medicine breathable. While ultrasonic models produce results comparable to jet nebulizers, they offer faster delivery of medication and operate more quietly. With both types of nebulizer, the patient inhales vapor through a mouthpiece or face mask.

There are a variety of nebulizers on the market, ranging in price from $50 to around $200. Both the jet and ultrasonic nebulizer systems come in tabletop or portable models and a variety of accessories and supplies are available for each. Tabletop nebulizers are intended for home use, as they need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Portable units are battery-powered and small enough to fit into a bag or purse for travel; however, they tend to be more expensive and require disposable or rechargeable batteries or a car power adapter to run.

Consult your healthcare provider to find the appropriate unit for your needs.

If you or your child suffers from asthma, COPD, CF or another respiratory condition, you may be prescribed a nebulizer.  While many people are familiar with meter dose inhalers (MDI) for treating respiratory conditions, some patients benefit from nebuliser treatment for a variety of reasons. 

First, using a traditional inhaler takes a great deal of coordination to work properly.  This is especially difficult for young and old patients who may not be able to follow directions or lack the coordination needed to breathe in deeply at the right time.  Second, nebulizer treatments are more efficient because they provide a slower yet more consistent delivery of the medication.  With the use of a mask, the patient can sit back and relax while receiving his medication.  A third reason to use nebulized medicine is that the dosage that is actually received into the lungs is more predictable. The medicine is aerosolized into tiny particles that can be efficiently absorbed through the lungs.

If you have been prescribed both a nebulizer treatment and a fast acting inhaler, you can improve the effectiveness of your inhaler treatment by using a Holding Chamber.   A holding chamber, also known as a spacer, works by suspending the medication and allowing the child or adult time to fully inhale the medication. Holding chambers come with either a traditional mouthpiece or a mask.  A mask is a great option for patients who have trouble cupping their lips to create a tight seal around the mouthpiece of the holding chamber. 

Both nebulizer machines and holding chambers come in small and convenient models so that treatments can be efficient and effective no matter where you are.

Pulse oximeters usually work by attaching to the tip of one finger.  They reflect lights off the finger to determine the oxygen level in the capillaries.  Very dark fingernail polish can affect the accuracy of the reading, so patients who consistently use a pulse oximeter should be careful to keep finger nails light. 

While individual oxygen levels vary, average oxygen levels for healthy people at sea level are between 96 and 98 percent.  At higher elevations, such as Denver, Colorado, oxygen levels between 92 and 94 percent are average.  You should discuss your optimum oxygen saturation level with your healthcare provider. 

MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler):

A Metered Dose Inhaler, commonly referred to as an MDI, is a common treatment for respiratory symptoms such as asthma.  An MDI can be used on a daily or as-needed basis.  Medication is stored inside the MDI's canister, which is depressed to release the medication through a specially designed nozzle.  The nozzle breaks the liquid medication into an aerosol optimally sized to reach the lungs.  Traditionally, the medication has been propelled through the nozzle by CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons), but recent FDA guidelines mandate that manufacturers use the environmentally safe HFA (Hydrofluoroalkane) propellants.

Why use a holding chamber?

When a physician prescribes an MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler), they will most likely inform the patient about the use of a holding chamber.  When MDI's are used alone, medication delivery relies on patient technique, which is inconsistent and when performed wrong can result in great loss of medication.  This is especially true for very young or elderly patients, as they often lack the proper coordination to optimize their medication inhalation. 
A holding chamber increases the medication delivery by allowing the MDI’s aerosol to be suspended on the inside of the chamber for a brief moment, providing more medication available for patient inhalation.  The results have been clinically proven that using holding chambers with MDI's provide more medication for the patient than when using the MDI alone.

The non electrostatic walls of the PARI Vortex® Non Electrostatic Valved Holding Chamber do not attract medication, whereas the conventional plastic chambers’ static walls do.  This is very important as MDIs are now formulated with HFA propellants, which have a higher static charge, potentially causing high medication loss in conventional static-charged plastic chambers. 

For many asthma sufferers, the fall can be one of the toughest times of the years to control their symptoms.  Fall brings a host of potential triggers, but many are manageable or even preventable. 

For many children, the fall brings the new school year which can mean dusty books, new classroom pets, and chalk dust.  Be sure your child’s teacher is aware of these triggers and works to combat them by vigilant cleaning and proper seat placement.  Be sure your child is seated as far as possible from potential triggers like animal cages or chalk boards.  Also, be sure your child and his teacher is prepared for an attack with up-to-date medication and the proper equipment to dispense the medication.  An extra nebulizer or holding chamber for school will help you and your child feel prepared and in control if symptoms suddenly arise. 

Other potential triggers are pollen and mold.  These are prevalent in the fall as leaves fall and weeds wither.  If you suffer from fall allergies, avoid fallen leaves as these often harbor mold and can onset an attack.  If you must be outside around fallen leaves, a respirator mask can decrease your exposure.  It is also important to protect your bedding from these and other allergens.  Zippered encasements for the mattress, box springs, and pillows will protect you from common allergens like dust mites, mold, and pet dander. 

Finally, fall often brings on a host of viral illnesses (such as colds or the flu).  While these illnesses are unpleasant for everyone, for asthma suffers, they can become extremely dangerous.  It is important to protect yourself with vaccines such as the flu shot.  Also, asthma suffers should be vigilant about washing and/or sanitizing their hands to prevent the spread of viruses.  Carrying products like Purell hand sanitizer ensure that you can sanitize your hands anywhere.  Disinfecting common surfaces such as doorknobs and handles is also important in combating the spread of colds or the flu.  Lysol disinfecting spray is 99.9% effective in killing illness causing bacteria and viruses.  If you must be around someone you know is sick, wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of airborne diseases.