Naturally, the first thing that crosses your mind when you or a loved one gets sick with a cold is how to treat it. Undoubtedly, traditional medicines such as ginger, honey, and hot tea are beneficial. What if things are getting worse? Following that, inhalers and nebulizers are helpful. What distinguishes them from one another? The main difference is between the steamer and nebulizer price. Nebulizers are more expensive as compared to steamers.
If you want to reduce your respiratory issues, you must know the differences between nebulizers and steamers. This post will discuss how these two devices differ and under what circumstances each works best. Both have specific functions and designs that enable them to address particular difficulties, even though they are both used in respiratory therapy.
What distinguishes nebulizers from steamers?
Below are the key differences between the both:
- Objective: While nebulizers are made especially for delivering medication to the lower airways for the management of respiratory infections, steamers are mostly utilized for relieving the symptoms related to upper respiratory conditions.
- Delivery: Steamers use inhaled steam to relieve symptoms; they do not administer medication. Conversely, nebulizers are used to directly deliver drugs into the lungs, including corticosteroids and bronchodilators.
- Suitable Conditions: People with dry coughs, sinus, and upper respiratory disorders can usually safely use steamers. Nebulizers are made especially for people who need to provide medication to their lungs because they have asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions.
- Mechanism of Action: While nebulizers turn liquid medicine into a mist for focused administration to the lungs, steamers create warm, humid air that soothes and moisturizes the respiratory tract.
- Dosage monitoring: Both inhaler devices have various methods of dosage monitoring. A single inhaler device may contain several doses, and it is usually very durable and can be used for a long time. However, one has to monitor the amount of medication left and replace the inhaler at regular intervals only. Nebulizers need the medication to be blended or premixed before administering; otherwise, the nebulizer will not operate. If there is no more medicine left for nebulization, the nebulizer will make a spluttering sound which you can hear or you can try to look into the medication cup to see how much of the dose is left to be nebulized.
What is better?
Choosing between Nebulizer vs steamer depends on several factors since both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages regarding respiratory conditions. Since nebulizers deliver medicine directly to the lungs, they help in the easy and fast alleviation of respiratory ailments. They still require a prescription from a physician and nebulizer price can be higher. On the other hand, steamers do not need a prescription while they are more fairly priced as well. However, they can be used in combination with essential oils and other natural medicines to derive extra benefits. They are less effective in delivering the medication to the lungs.
How should I inhale steam?
The handy Steamer or the boiling water on a heater are two ways to get steam. Particularly when children are involved, the second choice is risky. Keep the face away from the container as much as possible. There’s plenty of space for even a chair beside the steamer. While you work at the table, you can leave the steamer running.
Is Nebulizer a suitable substitute for Steam?
Nebulizers cannot replace steam. It performs different tasks that Steam is unable to perform.
While steam is good for the nose and lungs, nebulizers are for the lungs. While steam provides moisture to the nose and lungs, nebulizers administer medicines directly to the lungs. Certain viruses are heat-sensitive, such as the rhinovirus that causes the common cold. Thus, using steam aids in the removal of these viruses.
Conclusion
To sum up, a nebulizer vs steamer is a beneficial device for managing respiratory issues. While steamers are useful for relieving congestion and other respiratory issues, nebulizers are more efficient at delivering medication straight to the lungs. In the end, a person’s particular needs and tastes will determine whether they choose to use a steamer or a nebulizer price.