hengitysteitse

Hengitysteitse, in Finnish, refers to the route of administration via the respiratory tract. In medical and pharmacological contexts, hengitysteitse describes delivering substances as aerosols or gases so that they act locally in the lungs or are absorbed through the respiratory mucosa to produce systemic effects.

Delivery and deposition occur when particles or molecules reach the airways. The likelihood of deposition in different parts of the respiratory tract depends on particle size, breath-hold, and inhalation technique. Smaller particles can reach the lower airways and alveoli, while larger particles tend to deposit in the oropharynx. This route is commonly used to treat airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it is also employed for certain systemic drugs that are efficiently absorbed through the lung epithelium.

Devices and formulations used for hengitysteitse administration include inhalers—such as metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs)—nebulizers, and spacers or holding chambers that improve coordination and deposition. Medications delivered by inhalation span bronchodilators (beta-agonists and anticholinergics), anti-inflammatory agents (inhaled corticosteroids), antibiotics, and, in some cases, anesthetic or specialty drugs.

Advantages of this route include rapid onset of action, high local drug concentration in the airways, and reduced systemic exposure compared with oral administration. Limitations involve the need for proper technique and device handling, variable patient adherence, and potential local side effects such as oral candidiasis with corticosteroids or throat irritation. Proper device selection, priming, and mouth rinsing after use are common recommendations to optimize safety and efficacy.