inhalation

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inhalation

As inhalation or inhalation (from latin inhalare 'breathe ) the inhalation of gaseous agents or aerosols (ie the mixture of solid and / or liquid particles suspended and air), respectively. The most common areas of application in medicine are in the treatment of respiratory diseases (such as colds , sinus infections and bronchitis ) as well as in the field of anesthesia with the administration of inhalation anesthetics as part of inhalation anesthesia . The opposite of inhalation is exhalation .

Intentional inhalation occurs when smoking , unintentionally when passive smoking and the inhalation of hazardous substances , such as smoke exposure . Various biological and chemical weapons as well as radioactive substances also act by inhalation .

Suitable respiratory protection must be used at locations where respiratory toxins are to be expected . Various mask types with different respiratory protection filters are available for this.

Size of aerosol particles

The particle size is important for the intended effect , as this determines the penetration depth and thus the site of action. In inhalation scintigraphy, for example, aerosols are inhaled which, depending on the particle size, are deposited in the bronchial system or in the alveoli , whereby impaired lung function due to peripheral passage obstacles such as mucosal swelling , increased bronchial secretions or bronchial muscle spasms can be documented.

Particle sizes are characterized using the MMD (out of date because the density of the particles is not taken into account) or, according to the new EU standard, the MMAD ( mass median aerodynamic diameter ), all dimensions are given in micrometers. Information in MMAD results in slightly higher measured values ​​than in MMD, but it is preferable to trust the information in MMAD, as these are more precise due to the measuring method. In inhalation therapy, particle sizes between 1 and 5 µm or 1 and 10 µm are aimed for for the MMAD. In addition, not only does the particle size influence the respiratory tractability of the particles, but also (and sometimes more) the breathing technique of the user. The faster the patient inhales, the smaller the particles have to be to reach the lungs.

application

With steam inhalation (as a so-called partial steam bath ), water is heated and the resulting steam is inhaled. Since the droplet diameter is larger than 15 micrometers , the particles only get into the upper respiratory tract (up to the windpipe). An application to alleviate complaints is therefore only useful for diseases in the upper respiratory tract. Essential oils are often added, although the data on a certain benefit is sparse.

Vaporizers (literally evaporator ) are devices for direct evaporation of active ingredients without them previously in solution are brought.

Using salt with steam inhalation has no effect. Since the boiling point of salt is much too high at 1465 ° C, the vapor pressure at the temperature of boiling water is so low that no significant quantities of salt are evaporated. Dissolved salt can only get into the air through mechanical action (e.g. spray on the crests of waves by strong wind or atomizers such as ultrasonic nebulizers ). With nebulizer or aerosol inhalation, smaller droplets with a diameter of 1 to 15 micrometers are generated that can reach the lower airways (lungs).

Powdered inhalants are administered with a powder inhaler and inhaled. Correct use of the devices used is an essential prerequisite for the effectiveness of this form of therapy.

See also

Web links

Wiktionary: Inhalation  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. Neustädter, Irena: Extension of pulmonary diagnostics in nuclear medicine - combined ventilation - inhalation scintigraphy . Cape. 1.2: Functional analysis of the lungs
  2. Stephen W. Stein: Estimating the Number of Droplets and Drug Particles Emitted from MDIs . In: AAPS PharmSciTech . tape 9 , no. 1 , January 17, 2008, ISSN  1530-9932 , p. 112–115 , doi : 10.1208 / s12249-007-9006-8 , PMID 18446470 , PMC 2976893 (free full text) - ( springer.com [accessed January 1, 2017]).
  3. ^ Gerhard Scheuch, Martin J. Kohlhaeufl, Peter Brand, Ruediger Siekmeier: Clinical perspectives on pulmonary systemic and macromolecular delivery . In: Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews (=  Challenges and Innovations in Effective Pulmonary Systemic and Macromolecular Drug Delivery ). tape 58 , no. 9-10 , October 31, 2006, pp. 996–1008 , doi : 10.1016 / j.addr.2006.07.009 ( sciencedirect.com [accessed January 1, 2017]).
  4. a b N. R. Labiris, MB Dolovich: Pulmonary drug delivery. Part I: Physiological factors affecting therapeutic effectiveness of aerosolized medications . In: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology . tape 56 , no. 6 , December 1, 2003, ISSN  1365-2125 , p. 588-599 , doi : 10.1046 / j.1365-2125.2003.01892.x , PMID 14616418 , PMC 1884307 (free full text).