Breathing Treatment

No appointment is necessary. We understand that breathing difficulty requires immediate attention, so we welcome walk-ins daily from 8am to 8pm at both our Palm Beach Gardens and Stuart locations. If you're experiencing severe respiratory distress, difficulty speaking, or blue-tinged lips, call 911 for emergency care.

Common nebulizer medications include albuterol (a bronchodilator that opens airways), ipratropium (helps relax airway muscles), and sometimes corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. Our medical providers select medications based on your specific condition, medical history, and symptom severity. According to NIH guidelines, combination therapy is often most effective for acute respiratory distress.

The nebulizer treatment itself typically runs for several minutes, during which you'll breathe in the medication mist through a mouthpiece or mask. Our medical providers monitor you during and after treatment to ensure adequate response. Total visit time varies depending on your condition severity and response to treatment, but we prioritize getting you breathing easier as efficiently as possible.

Yes, we treat mild to moderate asthma exacerbations with nebulizer therapy, oxygen support if needed, and appropriate medications. We monitor your response carefully and provide prescriptions for continued management. However, severe asthma attacks with extreme difficulty breathing, inability to speak, or altered consciousness require emergency room care. Call 911 if symptoms are life-threatening.

Yes, our medical providers monitor all patients after breathing treatments to ensure adequate symptom improvement and stable oxygen levels before discharge. This observation period is a safety measure to confirm the treatment is working effectively and you're safe to go home. We'll reassess your breathing, check your oxygen saturation, and ensure you understand your discharge instructions.

Yes, we provide breathing treatments for COPD flare-ups including nebulizer therapy with bronchodilators and other appropriate medications. According to the COPD Foundation, prompt treatment of exacerbations can prevent hospitalization. We'll also assess whether additional interventions like oral steroids or antibiotics are needed and coordinate follow-up care with your pulmonologist or primary care provider.

Please bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications (especially inhalers and respiratory medications), and any recent medical records related to your breathing condition. If you have a peak flow meter reading from home, bring that information. Also bring your rescue inhaler if you have one, as this helps our medical providers understand your current treatment regimen.

Seek emergency care immediately if you experience severe difficulty breathing, inability to speak in full sentences, blue or gray lips or fingernails, confusion or altered mental status, chest pain with breathing difficulty, or if you feel your condition is life-threatening. For moderate breathing difficulty, wheezing, or asthma symptoms not responding to your home inhaler, urgent care is appropriate. When in doubt, call 911.