Inhalaatio

Inhalation refers to the process of breathing substances into the lungs. In medicine, inhalation is the administration of drugs as aerosols or gases that are inhaled through the mouth or nose in order to act on the respiratory tract or to enter the bloodstream via the alveolar-capillary interface. Inhalation also occurs in everyday life when exposure to environmental factors such as air pollutants, smoke, vapors, or chemicals is breathed into the lungs.

Substance deposition depends on particle size and airflow. Gases and vapors reach the deepest airways; larger particles deposit in the upper airways. The inhaled drug is absorbed across the lung epithelium and can exert local effects in the airways or systemic effects after absorption into the bloodstream. Therapeutic inhalation combats conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other obstructive or restrictive lung diseases.

Common delivery devices include metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) with or without spacers, dry powder inhalers (DPIs), soft mist inhalers, and nebulizers. Proper technique, including timing of inhalation, breath-holding, and mouth-care, is critical for efficacy. Inhaled corticosteroids, beta-agonists, and anticholinergics are among the medications commonly administered by inhalation. Non-therapeutic inhalation of smoke, fumes, or toxic chemicals can cause acute or chronic lung injury.

Inhalation therapies have a long history, evolving from steam and vapors to modern inhalers and oxygen therapy. Safety guidance emphasizes correct device use, avoiding irritants, and tailoring therapy to the patient’s abilities and conditions.