Inhalation: effective help with colds
Every year again... Anyone who has been able to get through the past few weeks without coughing, a runny nose or hoarseness is an exception. Many of us have already been sick. Some even more than once and partially more seriously than in years. Anyone who is currently struggling with an infection of the respiratory tract should try inhaling.
What does inhaling do?
Many people get a runny nose when they have a cold. This is – even if very annoying – an effective defense of our body. It is caused by a swollen nasal mucosa, which produces more nasal secretions to get rid of the annoying viruses.
Also with a productive cough, the viruses are carried out of the lungs by the expectorated mucus. So both coughs and colds are important defense mechanisms that should not be suppressed, but encouraged. And that´s where inhalation comes in.
Benefits of Inhaling
Inhalation therapy moistens the mucous membranes, loosens stubborn mucus and thus frees the respiratory tract. This soothing therapy, when used correctly, not only brings relief from chronic long-term diseases such as asthma or COPD, but is also an extremely effective and at the same time gentle method of fighting infections in the respiratory tract
Inhale: without a pot or bowl, please!
A steam bath using hot water in a pot or a bowl with a towel over your head, as we know it from grandma, has not yet been proven to have any clear medical effects. At best, it has a positive influence on the general well-being of the sick person.
However, if you or your child suffers from a cough or bronchitis, this "steam bath" will not provide any relief. Such an infection of the so-called "lower respiratory tract" sits deep in the fine ramifications of the lungs. The droplets from a normal steam bath are too large to enter the lower respiratory tract and therefore "get stuck" in the upper throat area.
Inhalation with hot steam: what are the dangers?
The inhalation method of hot steam described above poses great dangers, especially for children, but also for adults.
There are 3 main reasons why we advise against inhaling with hot steam:
- The risk of scalding children is simply too great
- Anyone suffering from inflammatory skin diseases, an eye disease, very low blood pressure or a circulatory disorder should never inhale with hot steam
- Inhalations that are too hot lead to increased blood circulation in the mucous membrane and can increase the swelling of the nasal and bronchial mucosa or worsen the symptoms, which would be counterproductive
The best inhalation method – our tip
When we talk about inhalation and praise it as a healing method and beneficial therapy, we mean inhaling with a so-called "nebulizer".
There are two versions of this: compressor or ultrasonic nebulizer.
- A compressor nebulizer, as the name suggests, works with the help of a compressor. It generates compressed air, which enters a nebulizer via a tube. It contains an active ingredient solution that is nebulized into the finest droplets by the incoming compressed air. Such a compressed air or compressor nebulizer is the most common inhalation system.
- With ultrasonic nebulizers, a current impulse causes a quartz module to vibrate, which generates high frequencies (1.7 MHz), that in turn convert liquids within the nebulizer chamber into the finest mist. This method is mostly used in hospitals and health clinics. It is quiet and long-term nebulization is also possible.
Inhalation devices of these two types produce - in contrast to the conventional steam from grandma's saucepan - very fine aerosol droplets that transport the active substance directly to the site of the disease.
In the case of deep-seated infections, these methods not only work faster than tablets or drops, but also protect the digestive tract. At the same time, there are fewer side effects and the medication can be dosed lower.
Inhalation at home: our recommendation for you
For daily inhalation therapy at home for diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis or coughs, we recommend a compressor nebulizer such as our AirForce One. It weighs just 1.5 kg, is immediately ready for use thanks to a wide range of accessories and enables reliable and cost-effective aerosol therapy.
If you want it even lighter and on the go, the portable, battery-operated compressor nebulizer AirForce Mini is the device of choice. It allows power-independent aerosol therapy anytime and anywhere.
Both devices are designed for use by children and young people as well as adults. Small children in particular love the AirForce Mini because it is so quiet and handy.
Inhale: what else do you need?
In addition to the inhalation device, an inhalation solution is required for aerosol therapy. We recommend – for reasons of hygiene – not to mix a saline solution by yourself. Also: plain tap water should not be inhaled with a nebuliser. In the case of respiratory problems, doctors recommend a 0.9% sodium chloride solution.
Please discuss which medication should be added directly with your doctor or pharmacist.
Proper inhalation: How does it work?
Inhalation with a nebulizer is very easy. Breathing technique and the position in which you inhale are decisive for its effectiveness. If possible:
- assume an upright, sitting or standing position
- put your lips around the mouthpiece or the mask around your mouth and nose
- breathe in slowly and deeply through the mouth
- hold your breath for a few seconds to give the medication enough time to take full effect
- then breathe out slowly through the mouthpiece or mask
Repeat this until the inhalation solution is used up. However, the inhalation process should not last longer than 20 minutes.
Why is inhaling so beneficial?
Regularly inhaling a 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution has a healing effect on your mucous membranes. Because the salt it contains not only has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, but also stimulates the formation of fluid in the airways. The mucous membranes are moistened and stuck mucus is loosened. Free airways and mobile cilia in the lungs make the body less susceptible to external influences.
Inhalation even without the addition of medication is a blessing for your mucous membranes and will get you through the cold season.