The asthma nebulizer has been saving my life for many years. I have no wish to cause any alarm from this statement, I just wish to be as frank and honest as I can.

For most of my life I have had to endure the effects of getting asthma attacks: the tightening of the chest, my airways constricting tighter and tighter, the feeling of my life slipping away during my asthma attack.

Having had so many close calls that involved using the asthma nebulizer, I decided to find out more info about this medical apparatus.

The first nebulizer was invented by the Frenchman Sales-Girons in 1858. The apparatus looked like a cross between a miniature boiler and a hand-held microphone.

The equipment had to be powered by igniting the base of the hand-held miniature boiler. This in turn heated a small reservoir in the boiler, which also housed the liquid medication.

Once the liquid had boiled, a miniature pump handle was used to deliver the vapor mist to the mouth via a thin tube.

In the same year the frenchman Sales-Girons developed an electric asthma nebulizer.

Over the years many changes have been made to the asthma nebulizer, all of which have promoted the asthma nebulizer to become an integral tool in treating asthma.

I remember the first time my dad rushed me into the hospital.

He had just finished working nights,taken off his boots, and started the short walk up the stairs. I remember trying to call out to him, but was unable to utter a word, due to my chest feeling so tight.

When my dad opened my bedroom door, he saw me reaching out to him with one hand and grabbing my chest with the other.

He immediately scooped me up in his arms, bundled me into the car and drove straight to the hospital.

When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor did a quick examination and then ordered the use of an asthma nebulizer. I can still remember the look of utter helplessness on my father's face.

Now I am a father, and one of my children has asthma. I find myself going through the same anxieties my father went through with me.

Therefore, I began researching the history of the asthma nebulizer.

This effort has revealed some additional topics of interest. One such topic that caught my attention was alternatives to conventional medication.

I began to read about using alternative techniques that can help relieve asthma, and in some cases, can stop the asthma condition altogether.

The more I read, the more convinced I became that I wanted to try some of these techniques on myself. Over a period of time I experienced marked improvement:

- I could walk long distances without the use of my asthma inhaler.

- I no longer woke up in the middle of the night to use my inhaler.

- For the first time in years I had no need to visit the hospital to use the asthma nebulizer.

I have now begun to use these techniques on my son. While it's still early in the process, the signs are very positive.

I am confident that, over time, my son and I will never again need the aid of the asthma nebulizer.