Inhalation

Advantages of inhalation

Consistent inhalation helps you breathe better, remove mucus from your lungs and minimise the risk of infection. In addition, the lungs are continuously moistened by the inhalation of certain substances, which has a positive effect on your well-being. There are three different inhalations: Moist inhalation, powder inhalation and metered dose inhalers. 

How often should I inhale?

How often you should or can inhale depends entirely on your well-being. In principle, doctors and physiotherapists recommend inhaling twice a day. In the morning and in the evening. This means that newly formed mucus has no chance of forming a basis for germs. Of course, inhalation is also time-consuming. So if you are well at the moment and don't have that much time left, you can inhale just once. More than twice a day can bring something under circumstances, if you are feeling very bad. But also note that the lungs are heavily strained and have to rest from time to time. Discuss this matter with your doctor or physio. Especially in the case of antibiotics, it is essential to discuss this with the CF team beforehand.

The correct method

The one right method, I reckon, doesn't necessarily exist. From my experience I can introduce you gladly those, which I need at home, as well as with my Physio. Try it out and if it doesn't work, change again and try something new. Every body reacts differently, every lung can be strained differently.

Advantages of inhalation

Consistent inhalation helps you breathe better, remove mucus from your lungs and minimise the risk of infection. In addition, the lungs are continuously moistened by the inhalation of certain substances, which has a positive effect on your well-being. There are three different inhalations: Moist inhalation, powder inhalation and metered dose inhalers. 

How often should I inhale?

How often you should or can inhale depends entirely on your well-being. In principle, doctors and physiotherapists recommend inhaling twice a day. In the morning and in the evening. This means that newly formed mucus has no chance of forming a basis for germs. Of course, inhalation is also time-consuming. So if you are well at the moment and don't have that much time left, you can inhale just once. More than twice a day can bring something under circumstances, if you are feeling very bad. But also note that the lungs are heavily strained and have to rest from time to time. Discuss this matter with your doctor or physio. Especially in the case of antibiotics, it is essential to discuss this with the CF team beforehand.

The correct method

The one right method, I reckon, doesn't necessarily exist. From my experience I can introduce you gladly those, which I need at home, as well as with my Physio. Try it out and if it doesn't work, change again and try something new. Every body reacts differently, every lung can be strained differently.

Different drugs

Dospir is not an expectorant medication, but expands the lungs to facilitate expectoration. It should therefore be inhaled first. Dospir helps me very well and I use it twice a day. 

Pulmozyme is a drug that splits the sputum, liquefying it and making it easier to cough up. The medication is very expensive (1000.- / month) and has limited benefits for me. However, I have already heard from others that it can be very useful. Try it if you don't know it yet.

Muccoclear is not a drug itself, but a high-dose NaCL, i.e. table salt. Muccoclear is available in different strengths of 3, 6 and 9%. Many inhale with 3%, since the higher ones can be very irritating and cause shortness of breath. I personally benefit the most from Muccoclear (6%).

NaCL is also available in normal doses of 0.9%. This is used for a lot of things. If your lungs do not tolerate Muccoclear, this is an alternative. NaCL 0.9% also helps to moisturize the lungs a little. 

Oxis and symbicort are so-called bronchodilators. They open and have a respiratory liberating effect. Symbicort is also mixed with cortisone. Both are excellent for opening the airways before wet inhalation.

Different devices

Meanwhile there are a lot of different inhalation devices on the market. In principle, most should be covered by insurance (at least in Switzerland). The devices vary mainly in the type of nebulisation. Most devices work with air, while the E-flow works with an electric membrane.  Moreover, certain agents cannot be inhaled with every nebuliser. E-Flow, for example, is not necessarily suitable for inhaling amikin, an antibiotic. 

Do you have another device or would you like to know more about a device that is listed here? Write me and I will try to test the device and write a report about it.

Akita Jet

The Akita Jet works with compressed air and atomizes the contents into fine particles. Especially the Akita Jet has a separate air hose, which transports the liquid further into the lungs. Pro: Almost no residues after inhalation, distributes the remedies well in the lungs. Contra: Very loud and less intended for travel.

4/5

E-flow

The E-flow is one of the few devices that does not work with air, but with an electronic membrane that atomizes the liquid with fine vibration. The E-flow is extremely quiet and is the fastest (about 5 minutes). It is also ideal for travelling as it can be battery operated. My favourite. Pro: Fast and quiet. Contra: Residual liquid after inhalation, susceptible membrane.

5/5

Pari Boy

The classic Pari Boy is one of the most widely used devices. Especially hospitals often use it. The Pari Boy also works with air, but nebulises the liquid very finely, which makes inhalation very long. Pro: Easy to use. Contra: Loud and long, too fine dusting.

2/5

Different devices

Meanwhile there are a lot of different inhalation devices on the market. In principle, most should be covered by insurance (at least in Switzerland). The devices vary mainly in the type of nebulisation. Most devices work with air, while the e-flow works with an electric membrane.

Moreover, certain agents cannot be inhaled with every nebuliser. E-Flow, for example, is not necessarily suitable for inhaling amikin, an antibiotic. 

 

 

Do you have another device or would you like to know more about a device that is listed here? Write me and I will try to test the device and write a report about it.

Akita Jet

The Akita Jet works with compressed air and atomizes the contents into fine particles. Especially the Akita Jet has a separate air hose, which transports the liquid further into the lungs. Pro: Almost no residues after inhalation, distributes the remedies well in the lungs. Contra: Very loud and less intended for travel.

4/5

E-flow

The E-flow is one of the few devices that does not work with air, but with an electronic membrane that atomizes the liquid with fine vibration. The E-flow is extremely quiet and is the fastest (about 5 minutes). It is also ideal for travelling as it can be battery operated. My favourite. Pro: Fast and quiet. Contra: Residual liquid after inhalation, susceptible membrane.

5/5

Pari Boy

The classic Pari Boy is one of the most widely used devices. Especially hospitals often use it. The Pari Boy also works with air, but nebulises the liquid very finely, which makes inhalation very long. Pro: Easy to use. Contra: Loud and long, too fine dusting.

2/5

One way to inhale

There are different ways to inhale. From many years of experience I would like to introduce the method that helps me the most personally. Also have a look at the video below.

 

  1. Sit upright at a table, your elbows on the table.
  2. Inhale with dospir. Inhale deeply and exhale deeply. Without pressure but with a pause when inhaling of approx. 2 seconds. In this way you give the medication enough time to sit down. 
  3. Inhale with Muccoclear. Also here, cosy, but very deep and with a break. Always make sure that you sit straight and upright. 
  4. Make a few passes with the PEP system. (See page EzPAP/PEP).
  5. Inhale a quarter, pause, exhale. Repeat 4 times.

6. Breathe in half, pause, breathe out. Repeat 4 times.

7. Three quarters inhale, pause, exhale. Repeat 4 times.

8. Breathe in fully, break, exhale 

9. Repeat this a few times. Then exhale firmly (also called a huff).

If the mucus is still present, inhale again with Muccoclear and repeat the process.

One way to inhale

There are different ways to inhale. From many years of experience I would like to introduce the method that helps me the most personally. Also have a look at the video below.

  1. Sit upright at a table, your elbows on the table.
  2. Inhale with dospir. Inhale deeply and exhale deeply. Without pressure but with a pause when inhaling of approx. 2 seconds. In this way you give the medication enough time to sit down. 
  3. Inhale with Muccoclear. Also here, cosy, but very deep and with a break. Always make sure that you sit straight and upright. 
  4. Make a few passes with the PEP system. (See page EzPAP/PEP).
  5. Inhale a quarter, pause, exhale. Repeat 4 times.
  6. Breathe in half, pause, breathe out. Repeat 4 times.

  7. Three quarters inhale, pause, exhale. Repeat 4 times.

  8. Breathe in fully, break, exhale 

  9. Repeat this a few times. Then exhale firmly (also called a huff).

  10. If the mucus is still present, inhale again with Muccoclear and repeat the process.