Abstract
The inhalation of vapors or smoke to treat respiratory ailments dates back to India, 4,000 years ago when those afflicted would smoke the leaves of Atropa Belladona, the source of atropine, for cough. In 1849, the inhalation of aerosolized spa waters was introduced. Thereafter, pneumatic and steam-powered nebulizers aerosolized a variety of substances for bronchospasm and treatment of tuberculosis. Nebulizers with control over particle size evolved in the mid-1900s. The problem with small respirable volumes and waste to the environment with nebulizers led to development of more efficient nebulizers. The pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI, 1956), overcame several disadvantages of predicate nebulizers. The evolution away from chloroflourocarbon (CFC) propellants to hydroflouroalkane propellants eliminates the harmful environmental effects of CFCs. Valved holding chambers improve aerosol penetration and deposition. Dry powder inhalers (DPI), are a mainstay of aerosol therapy as they are convenient and several contain a month’s supply of medication.
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