Saline for nebulizer

[Me1953]

My hubby uses a nebulizer for ventolin but i have been reading.of people using saline.in it,how does.it work is it just like.steam to clear nasal passages .

[Bella395]

Sodium chloride 0.9% nebules are prescribed by the doctor. It facilitates lung clearance by thinning the sputum and making it easier to cough up. Nasal saline sprays can be bought over the counter. Do a search of the forum for saline and you will find more information.

[Me1953 in reply to Bella395]

Thanks will ask resp nurse at next appointment

[Patchpoppy2]

Hi Me1953, I have only used a salbutamol(ventolin) nebuliser, so unsure about how saline works. Sorry can't be of help

[Hidden]

No, it’s not particularly like inhaling steam for a blocked nose, although there are parallels when I think about it. The idea behind nebbing saline is that it thins and lifts secretions away from the lung wall, making chest clearance easier and more effective. There are two different types of saline: isotonic (or ‘normal’ saline) and hypertonic. Isotonic is 0.9% sodium chloride and the stuff sometimes added to nebs generally if you need to increase the volume of liquid e.g. if you’re having salbutamol nebs via a giving set on hospital mains oxygen, or to reconstitute dry powder antibiotics to be nebulised. I’d imagine it has some thinning and lifting effect because it’s still saline, but if it’s the thinning and lifting effect you want, then it’s more likely hypertonic saline that will be of benefit, assuming that it doesn’t trigger bronchospasm and is well tolerated. Hypertonic saline comes in much higher sodium chloride strengths of 3, 6 and 7%, and to the best of my knowledge, always has to be trialled in hospital with a physio or medic present and salbutamol to hand. My daughter uses HTS twice a day during physio and has done for about 7 years: it does help her clearance a lot, particularly during an exacerbation. In any case, both types have to be prescribed by a doctor, so that’s probably the best place for you to start for hubby.

[mickyjoan4]

I’m sorry me I don’t use a nebuliser or saline . I don’t know a lot about anything ! I think a nebuliser just gives you loads of ventolin at a time but I’m sure lots of other people will know. Sorry x