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Types of Nebulizers for Adults

Nebulizers are devices that are used to treat asthma and chronic lung conditions. They change liquid medication into a mist so that the medication can be easily absorbed into the lungs. Nebulizers are made for both adults and children. There are a few types of nebulizer devices that adults can use to relieve their lung and breathing conditions.

  1. Jet Nebulizers

    • Jet nebulizers use a process of pressurized air to deliver medication to the user. Droplets are formed through a process of using a pressurized jet stream of air flowing through a thin tube and then through a narrow opening. This process causes pressure to decrease and create a vacuum. From a storage compartment within the device, the liquid drug is forced upward because of the vacuum effect. The droplets created are the pushed out of the device and into the person using the device.

    Ultrasonic Nebulizers

    • These types of nebulizers produce droplets by using high-frequency sound waves generated by a crystal. The drug is then delivered to the crystal's surface. Because of this process, a thin layer of liquid is formed between the surface and mesh layers of the crystal. The crystals are vibrated at a very high frequency, which forces the liquid through mesh layer of the crystal, which turns it into a mist.

    Home and Portable Nebulizers

    • Home nebulizers are devices that rest on a tabletop and are plugged into an electrical outlet for power. Portable nebulizers are a little larger than a deck of cards and runs on batteries. The benefit of portable nebulizers is that they provide the ability to carry it with you at all times and can conveniently fit in a briefcase or purse.

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