Frequently Asked Questions On Respiratory

Aerosol therapy is breathing medication to the airways and lungs in the form of a very fine mist. The medication can be easily and effectively inhaled in the form of mist, a benefit being that it's very targeted in that it goes straight to the lungs. This helps in relaxing the breathing tubes so they become larger and make breathing easier.
Aerosol therapy system comprises a compressor which generates a controlled air flow to the nebulizer cup and the medication mist is then inhaled through a mouthpiece or mask.

Oxygen therapy assists in increasing the supply of oxygen to the lungs and thereby, increasing the availability of oxygen to the body tissues.
Oxygen therapy is used either short-term for acute lung disorders or longer-term for chronic lung disorders where oxygen levels are consistently low.
There are three different home oxygen supply systems - electrically-driven oxygen concentrators, liquid systems and compressed gas. Large as well as portable tanks (for use outside home) are available to store oxygen for liquid systems and compressed gas.

Sleep apnea means 'without breath'. In this situation people stop breathing repeatedly during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times and often for a minute or longer.
With each apnea event, the brain briefly arouses people in order for them to resume breathing. This results in extremely fragmented and poor-quality sleep.
There are three types of apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea (most common) - This is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.
Central - In central sleep apnea, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
Mixed - Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the two.
Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and headaches.

A suction catheter is a flexible, long tube attached on one end to a trach tube and the other end to a collection container (suction canister) which generates suction.
Under normal conditions the upper airway warms, cleans and moistens the air we breathe. However, the trach tube bypasses these mechanisms, so that the air via the tube is cooler, dryer and not as clean. In response to these changes, the body produces more mucus. A trach tube is required to suction for removal of mucus from the tube and trachea to allow for easier breathing. This is done with the help of a suction catheter.

CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, is a device designed to help individuals with respiratory problems. CPAP blows air at a constant pressure through the airway of the user preventing the throat from collapsing and allowing comfortable and normal breathing.

Oxygen therapy is a treatment for providing extra oxygen to someone who is not able to get enough oxygen. This may happen if the person is suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, severe asthma, late-stage heart failure, cystic fibrosis or sleep apnea. Oxygen therapy is provided through a portable oxygen tank or home machine delivered to the patient through a breathing tube or mask.

A humidifier increases moisture in the air and prevents dryness that can cause irritation thus treating dryness of the skin, throat, lips and nose. The humidifier provides natural moisturizing and is especially useful to treat dry cough, cracked lips, sinus, headaches, nose irritation, etc.

Oxygen concentrators are oxygen machines or oxygen generators that provide oxygen therapy to patients for supplementing oxygen requirement. These machines are electrically or battery powered. It filters in air in the environment, compresses it and delivers directly into the lungs of the patient.