For kids who have asthma, which is better to get medication: using a nebulizer or an inhaler? New research shows that using a nebulizer may not be the best way to treat asthma attacks.
Ella, 17, had to be hospitalized for her most recent asthma attack. Usually, when she first arrived at the hospital, she would be put on a nebulizer. But this time, the emergency room used an inhaler.
"The science is pretty clear, for symptomatic relief, giving medicine through an inhaler works as well as through a nebulizer," said Dr. Richard Lichenstein, who practices at the University of Maryland's Hospital for Children.
Lichenstein said the inhaler even has advantages over the nebulizer: it's portable, so you have it with you when you have an attack. The inhaler doesn't have to be cleaned like a nebulizer and there's less problem with contamination. Also, many asthma medications are more available in the inhaler form.
And what has made the inhaler even more effective is the spacer.
"Put your medicine in there [and you] can breath normally, [the spacer helps] gets [the medication to a] patient's lungs," Lichenstein explained.
And Ella agreed.
She said it was "better with the spacer because 30 to 40 percent more medication goes into your body."
Using an inhaler in the ER also provides doctors a golden opportunity to work with patients and teach them how to better use their medications.
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