Abstract: A apparatus and method for self-treatment of cardiac arrhythmia by a patient, comprising a container sized to be portable by the patient and having therein a chamber containing a medicament composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier mixed with a chemoirritant, preferably L-tartaric acid; a nebulizing valve connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor; a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening in the nebulizing valve to thereby cause nebulization of the composition; a wireless transmitter responsive to activation of the nebulizer for sending a wireless signal requesting medical assistance; and a power source operatively connected for providing power; wherein the chemoirritant is mixed in the composition in an amount sufficient for causing the patient to produce an involuntary cough effective to maintain at least partial blood circulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of a patient having a pulmonary disease involving chronic obstruction of the airways includes a container having therein a chamber containing a composition of L-tartrate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; an opening connected to the chamber so as to provide an outlet therefor, the opening sized for producing droplets of a predetermined size range responsive to the composition being motivated from the chamber through the opening; and a source of motivating force connected with the chamber so as to motivate the composition through the opening to thereby cause nebulization of the composition. A treatment kit comprises the container described and a mouthpiece connectable to the container so as to be in fluid connection with the opening and downstream therefrom to thereby convey the nebulized composition into a patient's mouth to thereby facilitate oral inhalation of the nebulized composition by the patient.

Abstract: Whether a post surgery intubated patient is at risk for aspiration-based pneumonia is determined by requiring the patient to inhale an aerosol of tartaric acid that will stimulate a sensory innervation of the patient's larynx, if functionally recovered, thereby causing the patient to cough. The resulting cough or lack of cough is graded to determine whether the patient is at risk for pneumonia caused by the aspiration of matter present in the patient's mouth. In a further embodiment, the inability or difficulty of a patient to voluntarily expel potentially threatening fluid and matter from the patient's airway can be remedied by repeated applications of the aerosol chemostimulant spray.

Abstract: Whether a (stroke) patient is at risk for oral or pharyngeal dysphagia is determined by conducting a cough-based screening process for clinically evaluating the patient's swallow. The cough-based screening methodology is able to identify those patients who require a modified barium swallow test in order to rule out aspiration, and which patients do not need a modified barium swallow test. In accordance with the process the patient attempts to cough voluntarily. If the patient is unable to cough voluntarily, the patient is required to inhale an aerosol that stimulates a sensory innervation of the patient's larynx, thereby causing the patient to cough. The resulting cough is graded to determine whether the patient is at risk to a prescribed physiological condition, in particular pneumonia. The cough tests are supplemented by monitoring the ability of the patient to hold water in the patient's mouth for a prescribed period of time.

Abstract: The injection of an aerosol containing a chemostimulant into a patient's throat to stimulate nociceptor (irritant) and c-fibre receptors is augmented by the inclusion of a medically safe and accepted contrast substance, such as barium. The addition of a contrast substance to the aerosol allows fluoroscopic observation of the patient's (larynx) response, to facilitate a medical practitioner's identification of whether the patient is at risk to one or more abnormal physiological conditions, such as oral or pharyngeal dysphagia, and pneumonia.

Abstract: A laryngoscope-associated arrangement provides for focused delivery of a chemostimulant from a nebulizer through a delivery conduit to a patient's larynx to allow a practitioner to directly observe the function of the patient's larynx during the course of delivery of the chemostimulant. This not only provides the practitioner with a visualization of whether the patient's laryngeal vestibule is functioning properly, but allows the practitioner to be satisfied that the chemostimulant is accurately delivered to the intended region of interest.

Abstract: A laryngoscope-associated arrangement provides for focused delivery of a chemostimulant from a nebulizer through a delivery conduit to a patient's larynx to allow a practitioner to directly observe the function of the patient's larynx during the course of delivery of the chemostimulant. This not only provides the practitioner with a visualization of whether the patient's laryngeal vestibule is functioning properly, but allows the practitioner to be satisfied that the chemostimulant is accurately delivered to the intended region of interest.