Nuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . . That sound is so annoying. You know, the D-flat note that nebulizers make while they mist medicine for about 20 minutes or so?
Old school nebulizers, as I call them, are bulky, extremely heavy and only work when plugged into an outlet. And airport security is always a thrill – they seem to think the nebulizer I am carrying could be a weapon of mass destruction.
Well those days are over thanks to companies like Aerogen and Respironics. Newer-generation portable nebulizers fit into the palm of your hand, are as light as a notebook, admit medicine at a much faster rate, and (gasp!) run on batteries!
When AANMA received samples of these mini-nebulizers, I was asked to give them a trial run. My assignment: Test them out in the real world. As a 22-year-old recent college graduate who’s had asthma for over 17 years, I’ve had my share of nebulizer treatments. In fact, I actually prefer a nebulizer when my asthma symptoms get stubborn.
When I was first handed these tiny devices, I more or less thought how could these miniature machines possibly live up to advertised claims? I was about to find out.
The Aeroneb®Go Micropump Nebulizer by Aerogen delivers a treatment in less than 15 minutes, is battery powered (three AA alkaline batteries give 2 hours of power), fits into my little clutch handbag and, surprisingly, comes as a stylish blue and white number – so much nicer than my dirt-beige backpack-size nebulizer.
AeronebGo is one of the easiest nebulizers I’ve ever used; assembly is intuitive.
When I first turned the machine on, I thought something was wrong. It didn’t make any noise. Wow! Now that’s a feature I’d advertise on the box! I no longer have to blast the television to hear what I’m watching or wake my roommates up in the middle of the night while using my noisy nebulizer. And no more zoning out until the nebulizer cup spits and sputters.
The MicroEliteTM Compressor Nebulizer System by Philips Respironics is just as small as the AeronebGo, if not smaller, and comes in a high-tech platinum and gray color. It’s not completely silent, but it’s decibels quieter than my old machine! According to the instructions, the MicroElite is designed for “intermittent use” – you can run it up to 20 minutes, but then you have to leave it off for 40 minutes, whether using the AC adapter or rechargeable lithium (green) batteries. The battery has 60 minutes’ worth of charge, then needs to recharge for 3 hours. It also has an adapter to run off the outlet in your car (but don’t neb and drive!).
Each of these mini nebulizers has its own instructions on how to use and clean it. I absolutely recommend either nebulizer but the AeronebGo gets two big thumbs up for the “silent treatment.”
Product information is included solely as a service to our readers. Opinions stated in this article are those of the author and do not imply endorsement of products to the exclusion of others.
About the author: Shannon Walker, an AANMA intern, is a recent graduate of Five Towns College where she received her degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in broadcasting.
First published: Allergy & Asthma Today, volume 6, issue 4
Reviewed: February 2009
Related posts:
We rely on your donations to bring more content please click here to help
RSS Feed