Should I Open My Mouth During Nebulization?
Nebulization is a method that stimulates the airway to induce vomiting. Generally, during nebulization, the patient should lie on their side or in a semi-sitting position. It is also recommended to avoid eating for half an hour before nebulization. Nebulization can be performed using a mask or a mouthpiece. If a mouthpiece is used, the patient needs to breathe through their mouth, whereas with a mask, they do not need to open their mouth to breathe. Therefore, it is important to understand the proper way to perform nebulization.
When preparing for nebulization, it is advisable to avoid eating for half an hour beforehand but to drink a small amount of water to prevent irritation of the airway and vomiting caused by the medication during the nebulization process. Nebulization can be performed in a sitting, semi-sitting, or lateral position. For small babies, it is recommended that parents hold them in a head-elevated, feet-lowered position to prevent wastage of medication due to leakage or accidental inhalation into the trachea. After nebulization, it is important to promptly wash the child's face with warm water or wipe it clean with a damp towel. The nebulizer should be cleaned promptly after use by soaking it in warm water for half an hour, rinsing it, and drying it before storing it in a clean bag for future use.
The benefits of nebulization include anti-inflammatory effects, cough suppression, expectoration, relief of bronchospasm, improvement of airway patency, and enhancement of ventilatory function. It can also be used to prevent respiratory infections before and after chest surgery. Nebulization can also be used in conjunction with artificial respiration for airway humidification or intermittent inhalation of medication. Additionally, nebulization can be used to deliver anticancer drugs for the treatment of lung cancer.