|  | Conditions Treatments | Respiratory Disorders

Devices for People With Breathing Problems

According to the Medical University of South Carolina, more than 20 million people in America suffer from asthma and almost 10 million from chronic bronchitis. Rising obesity and heart disease rates have also played a role in the increasing number of patients afflicted with breathing problems. Persons with chronic conditions or debilitating illness, such as asthma, sleep apnea, lung cancer, rhinitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema or bronchitis can require medical devices to keep airways open, deliver medicine to the respiratory system or maintain healthy oxygen levels.

  1. High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Devices (HFCWO)

    • Doctors and respiratory therapists employ HFCWO devices to treat persons suffering from cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Such conditions can cause patients to develop thick lung secretions, which can cause pneumonia or atelectasis. Medical professionals use the HFCWO device to clear the airways and improve drainage in the bronchial tubes. The HFCWO device features an inflatable vest, with hoses and a pulsing air generator. Gas moves into and out of the vest, creating pressure on the chest. The action causes a gentle cough in the patient, which helps to clear lung secretions. Successful treatment improves breathing by externally manipulating the thorax. HFCWO treatments typically take 30 minutes.

    Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Device

    • Persons suffering from sleep apnea can use a CPAP device to prevent incidents of apnea and reduce snoring. Using the device can reduce the risks sleep apnea patients face, including daytime fatigue and heart problems. The device consists of a mask, fan and tubes. Air pressure moves through the tubes and mask, pushing the tongue forward and opening the throat to improve breathing. Patients undergoing CPAP treatments are advised to use the device whenever they sleep, even during brief naps. The device cannot cure sleep apnea, but can reduce apnea occurrences during sleep. CPAP devices offer adjustable air pressure levels, which allows medical professionals to adjust the treatment according a patient's individual condition. Patients can choose from a variety of mask types, allowing them to find the most comfortable treatment device.

    Nebulizers

    • Physicians and respiratory therapists use nebulizers to perform breathing treatments. The device changes liquid medication into a mist, which patients breathe through a mask. Medical professionals often use the nebulizer to treat asthma patients. The device provides an effective way to deliver medication to children, infants and people who have trouble using inhaler devices. Patients use nebulizers to receive quick relief when faced with breathing difficulty and to deliver scheduled treatments. Nebulizers are available in portable and tabletop models. Tabletop nebulizers operate on regular household electrical current, for use at home or in a medical facility. Portable nebulizers can fit in a purse or backpack and operate on rechargeable or disposable batteries, allowing patients to remain active and receive treatments whenever needed.

Respiratory Disorders - Related Articles