Does nebulization harm the lungs? What should I do if my child doesn’t want nebulization?

This is the 4858th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

Spring is a season with changeable climate. First, active viruses and bacteria are easily spread among people, causing children to be infected with respiratory diseases. Secondly, the number of allergens such as pollen, catkins, and mites increases in spring, and children are prone to allergic reactions, such as coughing, sneezing, and even asthma. There are many ways to treat the above problems, one of which is nebulization. There are many different opinions about nebulization on the Internet, such as "it will hurt the lungs", "the hormones used in nebulization are not good for the body", "nebulization will cause dependence and have great side effects", etc., which scare many parents. So what is nebulization, and can it be used? What if the child does not want to nebulize? Today, let's talk about "nebulization" with parents.

1. What is atomization?

Nebulizer inhalation therapy (hereinafter referred to as nebulization) refers to the use of professional equipment to finely convert drug solutions into tiny mist particles or microparticles. These drug particles are suspended in the air. They enter the respiratory tract and lungs with inhalation and deposit in the corresponding parts. In this way, nebulization can achieve rapid, effective and painless treatment effects.

2. Under what circumstances is atomization necessary?

If a child is diagnosed with the following diseases, he or she can receive nebulization treatment under the doctor's orders and the guidance of the nurse, including asthma, acute laryngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, other lung or recurrent respiratory diseases, etc.

3. Are there serious side effects of atomization? Will it cause dependence?

Nebulization itself does not hurt the lungs or cause dependence. It acts directly on the respiratory tract and lungs, takes effect more quickly, and can exert a therapeutic effect more quickly. If nebulization is compared with oral or intravenous medication, the advantage of nebulization is that the drug can directly enter the respiratory tract (see the figure below), and its dosage is usually only one-tenth of other drug administration methods. This local medication method can better reduce the toxic side effects of the drug and reduce the adverse reactions that may be caused by systemic medication. Therefore, short-term conventional nebulization treatment will not have greater side effects than other treatments, and generally will not cause dependence.

4. Can I do atomization whenever I want?

If nebulization is not used in a standardized manner, children may develop a certain degree of dependence on the drug or tolerance to the drug, thereby reducing the efficacy of the drug. Therefore, when using nebulization, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions and ensure that you are fully aware of and follow the indications, dosage, and course of treatment requirements. By using nebulization in a reasonable and standardized manner, you can ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment while reducing potential risks.

5. What should I do if my child is unwilling to undergo nebulization?

A nebulization session takes a long time. Some children cannot sit still and may be unwilling to cooperate with the nebulization. Parents can try the following strategies to help their children accept and cooperate with the nebulization:

(1) Communication and explanation

It is recommended that parents communicate with their children in simple and easy-to-understand language first, carefully explain the purpose, process and effect of nebulization, and let the children understand the importance of nebulization for treatment. They can also watch the nebulization process through videos or tell some nebulization stories to alleviate the fear of the unknown. Children may be more likely to accept and cooperate with nebulization treatment.

(2) Rewards and encouragement

Giving children appropriate rewards and encouragement, such as small toys, stickers or praise after completing nebulization, can motivate them to participate more actively in the treatment. This method can make children feel that their efforts are recognized, so they are more willing to cooperate with nebulization treatment.

(3) Combining therapy with games

Through games such as role-playing and drawing, children can be made to feel that nebulization is a process in which viruses fight against each other, and they can be taught to help them defeat the "little monsters" in their bodies.

(4) Distraction

During the nebulization process, parents can use toys, stories or music to distract their children and make them feel more happy and relaxed during the treatment, which can reduce their fear and resistance to nebulization.

(5) Adjust the atomization environment

Make sure the nebulizer environment is comfortable and quiet, and adjust the appropriate temperature and humidity. This will allow children to receive treatment in a more comfortable environment and reduce their discomfort.

(6) Gradual Adaptation

For children who are receiving nebulization for the first time, parents can let them adapt to the process gradually. At the beginning, they can let the children touch the nebulizer briefly, and then gradually increase the time and intensity of nebulization until the children can fully accept it.

(7) Seek professional help

If the child's resistance is very strong, parents can actively seek help from a child expert or psychologist and let professionals provide targeted advice and methods to help parents better understand and deal with the child's condition, help the child overcome fear and anxiety, and better accept treatment.

Author: Jiang Liyuan, Head Nurse, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Fujian Children's Hospital Graphic Design: Tang Yiran, Bachelor of Nursing