Nebulizing: The "Solution" for Shortness of Breath
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
February 8, 2026
Today I'm diving into nebulizing, which is something I do everyday & sometimes multiple times a day. I'm currently having to do 3-6 treatments in a day due to the acute flair I'm in. Protocol for when you're in a flair is to nebulizer every 4 hours needed, often with multiple solutions. I have 3 in the mix now, but praying to step back on 1 in the next few of days.
What is a nebulizer and went do we use it? Good questions; thanks for asking! 😄 A nebulizer is a machine that turns liquid solutions, such as albuterol or hypertonic saline, into a fine mist so that it can be delivered down into the airways/lungs safely and with optimum effectiveness. It helps get the meds down into your lungs, reduces inflammation, and helps with the ol' mucus clearance. For all of the previously mentioned reasons, nebulizing can be used as a means of delivering medication to your lungs as well as for maintenance.
Over the years I've had a very serious love hate relationship with my nebulizer. Even tho I'D see fairly significant results after nebs I resented having to do it. Well resent doesn't seem to be strong
enough, I HATED that I HAD to do them.i know it's completely irrational. I mean you just sit there with that mouthpiece while the machine does all of the work. After a couple of years of trying to figure out this ill will I had towards a machine whose sole purpose was to help me, I figured out that it was a daily reminder that I now HAD to nebulizer at least once daily or every four hours as needed.
I am now forever tied to this little device for daily use simply to try to keep my breathing normalized. I currently take a duoneb & hypertonic saline solution 2 times daily & a dose of Pulmicort once. I can throw in more dounebs if I need them. Each treatment must be done individually. So what was once an annoyance of 15-20 minutes a day has become a vital component of my breathing regime that's reached a couple of hours a day devoted to nebulizing. Granted, as I come down from this acute flair I'm in, I'll be able to do away with the Pulmicort, which will be lovely & free up some time because my social calendar is so full & all! 🤣
I'm posting two videos. The first I recorded a couple of days ago a ND focuses on nebulizing in general. The second is an addendum, or PS, focuses on portable nebulizing and how that works.
Thank you so much for your love and support. Have a joyous day!
Here's the link to the second part.
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