Allergy season is once again driving millions of Americans crazy, making breathing comfortably everyone's number one goal.  Life starts and ends by taking a breath, and healthy breathing is obviously essential to everyone's quality of life.  For those with asthma or other chronic respiratory illnesses, however, comfortable breathing is a year round or even lifelong challenge.  Asthma was first recognized as a medical condition in ancient Egypt and the prescribed treatment was inhaling frankincense.  It was officially recognized as a specific respiratory problem separate from all others and named by Hippocrates somewhere around 450 BC. 

Asthma affects approximately 7% of the United States' population.   The prevalence of childhood asthma in the United States has increased since 1980, especially in our younger children.  Asthma causes more than four thousand deaths annually in the United States.  In 2005, asthma affected more than 22 million people, including 6 million children in the US alone. The word 'asthma' is a derivative from the Greek language, and literally translated means 'panting.'  Chronic shortness of breath makes every day more difficult and much energy is expended on an activity that healthy people take for granted. Every breath is precious and hard won for the breathing challenged. 

Inhaling medication such as through nebulizers or inhalers is the most important, impactful, and effective treatment for chronic respiratory illnesses.  Nebulizer treatments are a daily way of life for thousands of children plagued by asthma or other chronic respiratory diseases.  Electronic nebulizers started in the 1930s but steam powered nebulizers were invented in 1864 in Germany.  Suffice it to say that medical science has come a long, long way since then.  Anyone suffering with any chronic respiratory illness can attest to the time consuming, boring nature of their daily medical routine.  It often involves a strict schedule of nebulizing treatments, inhalers, and oral medication to combat the multitude of respiratory problems.  But especially for children, this strict daily routine can raise anxiety levels or make them unhappy which can further complicate airway constriction.

  

                                                                                

A great solution to the child feeling relaxed and happy even under the repetitive schedule is to make the experience a more enjoyable one.  Rehabmart offers a new, fun line of friendly character nebulizer and oxygen masks that are designed for maximum child entertainment and relaxation which allows for a better treatment and ultimately to better breathing.  Give your child a reason to look forward to the previously dreaded routine by giving them a friendly face they get to play with.  If your child loves dragons, Pediatric Dragon Mask for Nebulizer would love to come and play with him!  Spotz Pediatric Nebulizer Mask introduces the new puppy pal Spotz the Dog, and comfortably seals over the child's mouth and nose to ensure that the medication inhaled reaches the lungs.  From Pediatric Mask Eden Elelphant to the Pediatric Turtle Respiratory Mask, these masks fit all nebulizers and provide consistent, comfortable and entertaining delivery and application of medicine for children.

                  

Finally, there is a funny and delightful pediatric mask for children who require oxygen: The Pediatric Bi-Flow Oxygen Bunny Mask respiratory aid from Rehabmart. The Pediatric Bi-Flow Oxygen Bunny Mask is an excellent alternative to the bothersome old cannula option.  And it eliminates the need for a humidifier with its warm, moist reservoir.  Watch your child's appearance and mood change from that of a septuagenarian to a cute little bunny instantly! 

Alyssa Aldana,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO