Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy

Respiration is another term for the process of breathing, which involves inhaling and exhaling air. This process relies on many parts of the body. However, the lungs are the primary organs involved in respiration. Occasionally, certain environmental factors, allergies and medical conditions or events can interfere with the body’s normal respiration process. People may require respiratory therapy or intervention to help them breathe more comfortably and safely. There are many tools and treatments that can be purchased for this purpose. These may include humidifiers, vaporizers, nebulizers, air purifiers and accessories for these products. Walgreens carries many accessories and tools to help with respiratory therapy. They can be purchase in stores or online at Walgreens.

What is respiratory therapy?

Respiratory therapy is a type of care focused on keeping the lungs and related systems healthy, and preventing or managing diseases affecting these systems. People living with certain conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea and cystic fibrosis may benefit from respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapists are trained to help people identify, treat, manage and prevent the worsening of these kinds of conditions. If you experience problems or discomfort with your breathing, speak with your healthcare provider about your options to learn if respiratory therapy may be right for you.

What types of products are used for respiratory therapy?

A variety of products and tools can be used for respiratory therapy and to ease breathing discomfort. These include products such as humidifiers, CPAP machines, vaporizers, nebulizers, air purifiers and inhalers. There are also accessories such as scent pads, masks, sanitizers and cleaners that can be used with prescription or over-the-counter respiratory devices. A healthcare provider or respiratory therapist can recommend the best product for you depending on the cause of your respiratory issues and your personal preferences. A Walgreens pharmacist or team member can help you find the product or accessory you’re looking for in stores or online at Walgreens.

What is a humidifier?

Humidifiers are a type of product that can add water vapor and steam to the air in order to decrease dryness and increase the moisture in the air. There are a variety of humidifiers available including vaporizers, which use electricity to create steam, and evaporators, which use a fan to blow air through a wet filter or wick. Humidifiers can be used to help ease symptoms from dry indoor air as well as allergies and colds, such as dry sinuses, bloody noses and cracked lips.

It’s important to take care of humidifiers by checking humidity levels and cleaning them regularly to prevent bacteria or mold from building up. Many kinds of humidifiers and accessories such as scent pads and filters can be purchased at Walgreens, so ask a team member or pharmacist for help finding what you need in stores. Speak with your healthcare provider before using a humidifier if you have health conditions such as asthma or allergies.

What is a CPAP Machine?

A CPAP machine, which stands for continuous positive airway pressure machine, is a device that pushes air through a tube into someone’s nose or mouth to keep these airways open as they sleep. CPAP machines are used to help treat certain types of sleep apnea or other breathing problems. People with these issues often have abnormal breathing patterns as they sleep, such as shallow breathing or lapses in breathing for brief periods. The air from the CPAP machine applies slight pressure to help keep the airways open and keep breathing patterns normal through the night. This can lead to better quality sleep, less snoring and lower risk of certain negative health outcomes like stroke and high blood pressure.

A CPAP machine usually includes a mask or covering that goes over the nose and mouth, straps to position the mask, a tube that connect the mask to the machine, and the machine with a motor that blows air through the tube. A CPAP machine must be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Accessories such as tubes, cleansing wipes, sanitizers and pillows designed to be used with CPAP machines can be purchased in stores or online at Walgreens.

What is a nebulizer?

A nebulizer is a machine that takes liquid medicine and turns it into a mist that can be inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece. Nebulizers are often used by people living with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, a condition that makes it hard to clear mucus from the lungs.

It’s important to take your medicine as recommended by your healthcare provider if you are living with a respiratory condition, and nebulizers can help with this. Nebulizers are prescribed by healthcare providers. Accessories for nebulizers, such as mask and filters, can be purchased in stores or online at Walgreens. If you are experiencing respiratory challenges, speak with your healthcare provider to help find a solution and learn about the best respiratory devices that may help ease your symptoms.