Pulmonary Medications and Hygiene

Summary

The benefits and effectiveness of oxygen, bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics are presented in this video, along with how to use a metered-dose inhaler. A dry-powder inhaler demonstration has been added. The video then shows how good bronchial hygiene can help keep airways clear and open. Controlled coughing, postural drainage, percussion therapy, and using alternative methods are demonstrated.

Details

• Benefits:
  • An increase in oxygen levels in patients with low levels of oxygen in their blood.
  • Reduces breathlessness, improves muscles efficiency, and makes performing daily activities easier.
• Types:
1. Liquid
2. Compressed Air
3. Gas Cylinder
• Guidelines:
  • If oxygen is prescribed, your healthcare provider will prescribe a set dose and recommend the best way of administering it.
  • Depending on your health and activity levels, your need for extra oxygen can change, and prescribe adjustments.
  • Oxygen can feed a fire, but the devices won’t explode.
  • Oxygen devices don’t restrict movement.

• Benefits:
  • They relax muscles around the bronchial tubes, opening them up.
  • Reduce breathlessness, and makes moving mucus easier.
• Types:
  • Fast-Acting Bronchodilators:
    • start to work after 15-20 minutes
    • last about 4 hours
  • Slow-Acting Bronchodilators:
    • take 30-45 minutes to start working
    • last for 12 hours or longer
• Side Effects:
  1. Rapid heartbeat
  2. Nervousness
  3. Shakiness
  4. Headaches
  5. Dizziness
  6. Nausea

• Antibiotics fight off the bacteria that cause infections.
• Guidelines:
  • Finish the entire prescription, even if you feel better right away.
  • If you don’t feel better after 3 or 4 days, call your doctor.

• Benefits:
1. They can reduce swelling and inflammation along the airways.
2. They help other medications penetrate deeper.
• Side Effects:
  1. Indigestion
  2. Weight Gain
  3. Swelling
  4. Nausea
  5. Sore Throat
  6. Hoarseness
  7. Fatigue
  8. Moodiness

• Most pulmonary medications are available in a form you can either swallow or inhale.
• Metered Dose Inhalers and Dry Powder Inhalers both deliver medications quickly and directly to the lungs and airways:
  • Using A Dry Powder Inhaler (step by step)
  • Using A Metered Dose Inhaler, Closed Mouth with Spacer (step by step)
  • Using A Metered Dose Inhaler, Open Mouth (step by step)
  • Using A Metered Dose Inhaler, Closed Mouth without a Spacer (step by step)
• Medication Guidelines:
  • A nebulizer is an electrically powered device that can be even more effective than an inhaler for some patients.
  • Clean your inhaler mouthpiece daily to help prevent infections (step by step).
  • Make sure you follow all instructions and take proper dosages as directed.
    • Pay attention to instructions regarding eating.
    • Do not chew pills.
    • Rinse your mouth out after using an inhaler.
  • Keep an updated list of all medications with you at all times.
  • Wear a medic alert bracelet.

• Benefits:
  1. Can help clear your airways of mucus that can build up and block the airways and lead to an infection.
  2. It can make breathing easier.
• Bronchial Hygiene Techniques:
  • Drinking plenty of fluids
  • Regular Exercise
  • Controlled Coughing (Step-by-Step)
  • Postural Drainage (Step-by-Step)
  • Percussion
  • Alternative Methods:
    • Mechanical Percussors
    • Flutter Valve
    • CPT