Things to know when using aerosols correctly in the treatment of ENT disease

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor of Otolaryngology - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Currently, the treatment of ENT disease can be prescribed by doctors with a number of drugs by aerosol. The main benefit of this treatment method is to help the drug directly affect the target organs of the respiratory system such as: nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, bringing the best treatment effect.

Aerosol, also known as Aerosol, is a method of converting drugs into very small particles in diameter. This is a common and highly effective topical treatment. Currently, there are many different nebulization methods such as nebulization by inhaler, nebulizing by inhaler, nebulizing by squeezing tube, nebulizing by machine. In which, nebulizer by machine is the most popular today, can be used easily in hospitals, clinics or at home...
The purpose of this method is to deliver drugs directly to the place where it needs to be affected in the form of effects. very small particles. There are many types of nebulizer machines on the market today, some are suitable for treating ENT diseases, some are suitable for bronchitis and lung diseases.
If the drug is smaller, it goes deeper into the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, when aerosols in ENT disease are 10 to 20 microns in size to limit drug deposition in the lower respiratory tract and cause unwanted effects. Therefore, when treating, it is necessary to consult a doctor and professional pharmacist to avoid side effects caused by the drug.

Currently, medical facilities often combine drugs in aerosol treatment: antibiotics (eg: gentamicin, chloramphenicol), anti-inflammatory (mainly corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone), essential oils, vasoconstrictors (Ephedrine). , Xylometazolin)... for the treatment of ENT diseases.

2.1 Nasal aerosol The purpose is to treat a number of diseases such as rhinitis, sinusitis. Commonly used drugs are vasoconstrictors, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics combined in certain proportions, the dosage depends on the age and medical condition of each patient. A prerequisite when properly performing nasal nebulization is to clean the nose before spraying to bring the best effect.
2.1. Throat aerosol The main purpose of pharyngeal aerosol is to treat diseases such as acute or chronic pharyngitis. In which, the most used drugs are antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and pain relievers.

Usually a course of aerosol drug treatment usually lasts no more than 7 days, usually 5-7 days, 1-2 times/day. When the drug is finished, the patient needs to go back to the doctor to assess the condition and decide whether to continue treatment or not. If you abuse the drug and self-medicate for a long time, you may experience unwanted side effects of the drug such as: kidney toxicity, liver failure, deafness, tendon disease... For example, the antibiotic gentamicin is used in high doses and lasts for a long time. Long-term can cause deafness, chloramphenicol when used in children can lead to marrow failure, long-term corticosteroid use can cause water retention, adrenal insufficiency. In addition, some of the more common side effects of aerosol drugs should be noted, such as: nasal irritation causing burning, burning, sneezing, nasal congestion due to vasodilating reaction when using a large amount of vasoconstrictor , ulceration of the nasal mucosa causing bleeding...

Poor cleaning of the nebulizer will lead to contamination, bacterial or fungal infections, increasing the risk of superinfection for users. On the other hand, this can be a source of infection from person to person when sharing a machine. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to follow the correct cleaning procedure after each use as follows:
Disassemble the nebulizer components: the nebulizer cord, the nebulizer cup and the nebulizer hose, and then wash clean with soap and water. Dry or immerse in boiling water if the plastic cups are heat-resistant, if the plastic parts are not heat-resistant, they must be cleaned with 90 degrees of alcohol. Let the nebulizer dry before using it for the next spray. It is recommended to use separate cups and aerosol nozzles for each person, do not reuse other people's tools to avoid cross-contamination.

With any disease, the aerosol treatment must follow the doctor's prescription. Pregnant patients, lactating women, people with a history of allergies to drugs contained in aerosol components should absolutely not use it. High blood pressure patients do not use corticosteroids, vasoconstrictor drugs... Therefore, it is not recommended to apply a single prescription for many different diseases and should not self-treat because of the risk of dangerous complications. dangerous.
Aerosol is a very good method of treating many respiratory diseases. However, the abuse of the nebulizer will not be good for the user. Therefore, doctors recommend that if a child is sick, they should use therapeutic drugs so that the child's body is able to produce antibodies against the disease instead of aerosol abuse.

Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including respiratory, ENT, ENT. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline for support.