Inhalation therapy: healing through breathing air
Inhalation therapy: healing through breathing air
is the essence of life- but what if the healing power of breathing air goes far beyond mere inhaling and exhaling? Inhalation therapy, a centuries -old practice, which is increasingly recognized in modern medicine, promises exactly that. In an innovative way, it enables the direct application of therapeutic substances into the respiratory tract, it opens up new ways to treat a variety of respiratory diseases. This article immerses deep into the scientific foundations of inhalation therapy, explores its diverse areas of application and their effectiveness and provides valuable insights into the practical implementation and safety instructions for optimal therapy at home. Accompany us on a journey of discovery of how the healing through the air air can not only be implemented theoretically but also in practice, and learn how this old healing method is reinterpreted by modern science.
Foundations of inhalation therapy: Scientific principles and mechanisms of action
Inhalation therapy uses the airways as an access path to bring medication directly to the place of its effect. Liquid or solid aerosols are inhaled that contain the active ingredients in the finest distribution. This enables quick and targeted treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract.
Central mechanisms of action include inhalation therapy:
- The direct application enables high local active ingredient concentrations for reduced systemic side effects.
- The quick inflow of the active ingredient shortens the time until the therapeutic effect occurs.
- finest aerosol particles can penetrate deep into the pulmonary alveoli and have their effect there.
The generation of the aerosols can be carried out by various fuzling technologies, including nozzle annulas, ultrasound nebulizers and mesh nebulizers. The particle size of the generated aerosol is crucial for its deposition location in the airways:
| deposition location | |
|---|---|
| <1 µm | alveolen |
| 1-5 µm | peripheral respiratory tract |
| 5-10 µm | upper respiratory tract |
The effectiveness of inhalation therapy depends largely on the correct application and the choice of the appropriate throat. Factors such as the patient's breathing technique, the physicochemistry of the active ingredient and the properties of aerosol play an important role.
To maximize the therapeutic effect and minimization of possible side effects, thorough training of patients is essential with regard to correct inhalation technology. State-of-the-art inhalation systems often integrate feedback mechanisms that provide real-time feedback via the correct application.
The scientific consensus confirms that inhalation therapy, based on its basic principles and mechanisms of action, is an essential treatment option for respiratory diseases such as asthma bronchial and chronically obstructive lung disease (COPD). This form of therapy enables targeted, effective and patient -friendly treatment.
areas of application and effectiveness: How inhalation therapy helps with various diseases
Inhalation therapy is a proven treatment method for a variety of respiratory diseases. This approach enables medication to hand in directly to the lungs, which brings a quick and targeted effect and at the same time minimizes the risk of side effects. The main areas of application include chronically obstructive lung diseases (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis and acute infections of the lower respiratory tract.
- COPD: In the treatment of COPD, inhalation therapy enables effective relief of the symptoms and improves the quality of life of those affected. Inhalative corticosteroids, long-effective beta agonists and long-effective Muskarin antagonists are frequently prescribed active substances.
- asthma: asthma requires careful control and treatment, whereby inhalative corticosteroids are often used as basic therapy. They help to reduce inflammation and swelling of the respiratory tract and to prevent seizures.
- cystic fibrosis: In the case of cystic fibrosis, inhalative therapies support the relief of symptoms and influence the course of the disease. This includes the use of mucolytics to promote mucus transport from the lungs and antibiotics for the treatment of infections.
- Acute infections of the lower respiratory tract: inhalation therapies can also be used to treat acute bronchitis or pneumonia by helping to solve mucus and expand the airways.
The effectiveness of inhalation therapy depends on the correct application of the inhalation devices and compliance with the therapy plan. Different inhalation systems such as dosing aerosols, powder inhalators, and nebulizers, are different depending on the illness and individual patient needs.
| disease
| |
|---|---|
| COPD | Long-effective Muskarin antagonists (Lama), long-effective beta agonists (Laba) with or without inhalative corticosteroids (ICS) |
| asthma | Inhalative corticosteroids (ICS), long-effective beta agonists (Laba), short-aging beta agonists (SABA) as needs medication |
| cystic fibrosis | mucolytics, antibiotics |
| acute infections of the lower respiratory tract | expectorant, bronchy -expanding medication |
The implementation of inhalation therapy requires a precise coordination and evaluation by medical specialist personnel in order to ensure optimal effectiveness and to meet the individual needs of the patients.
Practical implementation and safety instructions: Tips for optimal therapy at home
The correct implementation of inhalation therapy at home is crucial to achieve maximum therapeutic effects and minimize side effects. The following steps and safety instructions should be observed:
- Preparation: Before inhalation, it is important that both the hands and the device, be it a nuberer, a dosieraerosol or a powder inhaler, are clean to avoid infections.
- Correct application: follow exactly the instructions from the manufacturer and the medical specialists. The technology varies depending on the device type. In the case of neborns, even and calm breathing during inhalation is important, while in dosingaerosols a deep, strong breath is often necessary after triggering.
- cleaning and maintenance: After each use, the device should be cleaned according to the instructions to prevent the accumulation of remnants of medication, bacteria or mold. Regular maintenance according to the manufacturer is also crucial to ensure effective and safe therapy.
On the safety and effectiveness of inhalation therapy, the following points should be observed:
- monitoring of therapy: It is advisable to carry out inhalation therapy, especially at the beginning, with the supervision of a medical specialist to ensure correct application technology.
- Avoidance of side effects: Correct application technology helps to minimize side effects such as dry mouth, hoarseness or local fungal infections in the throat. After the inhalation of corticosteroids, the mouth should be washed up to reduce the risk of fungal infection.
- update of the treatment plan: The treatment plan should be discussed regularly with a doctor to make adjustments that may be necessary due to symptom control or side effects.
| device type
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Versegler | after each use | replace filters and hoses according to the manufacturer's instructions |
| dosieraerosol | weekly | control of the dosing valve |
| pulverine halator | as required | exchange for signs of wear |
The integration of these practices in daily routine can increase the loyalty to therapy and ensure that patients draw the greatest possible benefits from their inhalation therapy. Continuous communication with medical specialist staff also supports the identification and solution of problems in connection with the use of inhalation devices.
Inhalation therapy represents a significant addition to the treatment of different respiratory diseases. This article not only illuminated the basics and scientific principles of this form of therapy, but also explains its diverse areas of application and the associated effectiveness. In addition, important information on the practical implementation and security aspects were given to ensure optimal therapy in the home environment. However, it is crucial that patients and relatives inform themselves before the application and ideally act in coordination with medical specialist personnel in order to achieve the greatest possible effect and security. In the case of correct application, inhalation therapy offers the possibility of relieving symptoms and significantly improving the quality of life of those affected. Future research could produce further innovative approaches that further exploit the potential of this form of therapy and have it individually adapted.
sources and further literature
references
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "What is pulmonary rehabilitation?" Nhlbi, nih. Available at: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pulmonary- rehabilitation.
- World Health Organization. "Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Asthma." Who. Available at: www.who.int/Respiratory/asthma/en /.
Scientific studies
- Gold - Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. "Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2020 Report)." Available at: Goldcopd.org.
- König, P., Krain, B., & Krug, N. (2005). Inhalation therapy for respiratory diseases: basics and practice. Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 102 (39), A-2644 / B-2212 / C-2096.
further literature
- Deutsche Rangwegliga e.V. "Inhalation therapy." Information for specialist groups and patients. Available at: respiratory league.de.
- Laube, B. L., Janssens, H. M., de Jongh, F. H. C., Devadason, S. G., Dhand, R., DIOT, P., Everard, M. L., Horvath, I., Navalesi, P., Voshaar, T., & Chrystyn, H. (2011). What the Pulmonary Specialist Should Know About The New Inhalation Therapy. EUR Respir J, 37 (6), 1308-1331.
- pavia, D. (2012). Aerosol Therapy Efficacy, Reliability and Safety: The Key Challenges. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 64, 1805–1817.