Inhalations are a fairly common method of treating colds by introducing medications into the respiratory tract. A nebulizer is often used for this - a medicinal solution is added to it, then the healing vapors are inhaled.
Alkaline inhalations at home are quite effective for thinning accumulated bronchial mucus and removing phlegm. These manipulations bring the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract to a normal state, leading the sick person to recovery.
Many patients at a doctor’s appointment are interested in what alkaline inhalations are and how to do them correctly? Alkaline inhalations are an affordable way to alleviate the condition of a person suffering from a cold.
To carry out the procedure correctly, it is necessary to use several solutions that match each other in consistency and components.
The procedure is not accompanied by any painful conditions and is considered a completely easy treatment method.
Depending on the age of the patient and the severity of the disease, the duration of inhalation measures varies from 5 to 10 minutes. Children are recommended to spend no more than 5 minutes on inhalation at a time.
The positive side of the sessions is the rapid achievement of the effect. After the first procedures, a person begins to clear his throat, feels a surge of strength, and an improvement in his condition.
How to do such inhalations with a nebulizer
Answering the question of how to do alkaline inhalations with a nebulizer, first it is worth noting that at the initial stage of treatment, adult patients are recommended to carry out up to 8 procedures daily. This will allow you to move towards recovery much faster.
In the absence of contraindications, adult patients can repeat the procedure every 2 hours, children - every 3 to 4 hours.
The rules of the procedure include the following conditions:
There is a concept of oil-alkaline solutions, salt-alkaline:
- Oil-alkaline inhalations are carried out after alkaline ones. To carry them out, special inhalers are used. They are not carried out with a nebulizer, since the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is covered with a protective layer. Its violation leads to long-term illness.
- Salt-alkaline procedures are used for advanced cough. Sea salt is used for this. Preparation of the solution consists of mixing 1 teaspoon of soda, 1 tbsp. spoons of sea salt in 1 liter of boiled water at a temperature of 45 degrees. The procedure is carried out using a nebulizer.
How to do without a nebulizer
The alkaline solution for inhalation with a nebulizer can match the contents of solutions used without a device.
Carrying out the procedure without a device is as follows:
- a medicinal solution is prepared in advance;
- brought to a temperature of 45 degrees, the solution should be poured into a teapot or saucepan;
- With calm breaths, the mixture is inhaled through the spout of the kettle;
- You can first cover your head with a towel, this will allow you to inhale more healing vapors;
- Lesson duration 5 – 10 minutes for adults, 3 – 5 minutes for children.
Features of use for children
When performing alkaline inhalations for children, you should remember that the child’s body is not strong enough to withstand a long procedure and elevated steam temperatures.
Technique:
Contraindications
Such measures should be prescribed by a doctor. There are some contraindications for conducting treatment sessions, so you need to be especially careful when treating children with this type of therapy.
Contraindications include:
- hyperthermia;
- the presence of severe inflammation in the patient;
- nosebleeds;
- hypertension, heart disease;
- tuberculosis.
Conclusion
Alkaline treatment sessions with a nebulizer should be carried out especially carefully. This procedure makes it possible to receive medicinal substances throughout the body. Before starting sessions, you must consult with your doctor, since the presence of contraindications suggests alternative treatment methods.
Alkaline inhalations are one of the simplest and most accessible methods of treating acute and chronic respiratory diseases. These procedures significantly alleviate the condition of patients, helping to liquefy the mucus contained in the bronchi and helping to remove it faster.
How to do alkaline inhalations at home?
Here's how the procedure works:
- To carry out the procedure, you can use a solution of baking soda (a teaspoon of soda per 0.5 liter of hot water) or heated alkaline mineral water (Essentuki, Borjomi, Narzan).
- The inhalation solution, which has a temperature of about 45 °C, is poured into a teapot.
- The steam is inhaled from the spout through the mouth and exhaled through the nose. Inhalations should be calm and slow.
The duration of the procedure is 5-8 minutes, the number of procedures per day is 3-4.
Alkaline inhalation with nebulizer
This procedure can also be carried out using, which can be more convenient and effective. The solution is prepared in the same way as described above.
Oil-alkaline inhalations
Oil inhalations are carried out to create a protective film on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract in case of inflammatory diseases of a hypertrophic nature, as well as for preventive purposes. For greater effectiveness, oil inhalation is best done immediately after alkaline inhalation.
For the oil inhalation procedure, as a rule, vegetable oils are used (peach, anise, camphor, eucalyptus, etc.). This procedure is carried out using special inhalers for oil solutions. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes, the course of treatment is 5-15 procedures.
Salt-alkaline inhalations
Inhalation is a common method of introducing drugs into the body by inhaling medicinal solutions. They are the most ancient and effective method of treatment for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and colds.
There are several options for carrying out such procedures, depending on the medications used. Alkaline inhalations dilute accumulated mucus in the respiratory tract and remove formed phlegm. Such actions are aimed, first of all, at maintaining the bronchial mucosa in a normal state.
Alkaline inhalations are one of the simplest and most accessible ways to alleviate the patient’s condition during colds. When performing medical procedures such as inhalations, regardless of their types, it is important to alternate the use of several compatible solutions. To prepare the composition of alkalis, you should take half a teaspoon of soda per 200 ml of heated water, but to make the task easier, you can purchase any of the alkaline waters at the pharmacy, pour it into the inhaler and breathe in the emanating vapors. The duration of such treatment procedures should be from 5 to 8 minutes.
The positive side of this method of treating the respiratory tract during colds is the absence of any accompanying discomfort. And alkaline inhalations give results immediately after the first procedures - phlegm begins to clear up, breathing becomes much easier.
Inhalations act on the body in such a way that the osmotic pressure in the respiratory organs increases, as a result of which a sharp decrease in swelling of the mucous membrane is observed. It is imperative that during the process of inhaling medications in people who have a suppressed cough reflex, it is immediately produced, which helps to remove phlegm.
Doctors always prescribe alkaline which causes agony and pain in the patient. They are mainly indicated for patients suffering from bronchial asthma, which is caused by allergic reactions along with infections.
Requirements for inhalation:
- Inhalations, regardless of the medicinal solution used, should be carried out two hours after meals.
- It is advisable to carry out the procedure before physical therapy exercises in order to dilute and remove mucus accumulated in the respiratory tract.
- It is necessary to inhale the solution while in a calm state, using the oral cavity or nasopharynx, depending on the disease.
- It is advisable to leave the choice of position during inhalations to the patient himself: let him choose what is more comfortable for him - sitting or lying down.
- After undergoing procedures aimed at recovery, it is advisable not to drink or eat for an hour, and not to strain yourself with singing or excessive talking.
Despite the effectiveness and benefits of inhalations, there are still contraindications to them. It is better for people with cardiovascular or respiratory failure, as well as frequent use, to avoid such procedures.
For the treatment of ENT diseases, it is recommended to use oil-alkaline inhalations, which create a protective function for the mucous membranes. Most often, the indicators for using this method are diseases of bronchitis and sinusitis. Such procedures help relieve pain, reduce coughing and reliably protect the mucous membranes of all respiratory tracts from possible irritants and mechanical damage.
Basically, essential oils such as peach, almond and refined sunflower are used for oil-alkaline inhalations. It is useful to add menthol, which has analgesic and antibacterial properties. Often, for inflammation of the nasopharynx, when the use of antibiotics is unavoidable, eucalyptus oil can be added to the medicinal composition for inhalation. Oil-alkaline inhalations are carried out as follows: first, the patient breathes alkalis for 5-8 minutes, and then breathes essential oils for 10 minutes.
It is very convenient to have your own inhaler, with which you can perform oil and alkaline inhalations at home, which helps speed up the healing process.
Colds and respiratory diseases take a long time to go away, and without proper treatment they are fraught with complications and a protracted, severe course. Among the traditional methods of treatment, inhalations can be distinguished. The administration of drugs by inhaling them in vapor or aerosol form quickly produces a therapeutic effect, as it enters directly into the nasopharynx, bronchi and lungs.
Alkaline inhalations– the procedure is affordable and effective, helps with dry and wet coughs, softens the throat, relieves inflammation, and provokes intense mucus discharge. 5-10 minutes a day is enough to speed up recovery and ease coughing attacks.
Inhalations are useful for inflammation of the respiratory tract
A dry cough greatly irritates the throat, frequent spasms sometimes even lead to vomiting. In addition, it negatively affects the nerve endings of the larynx and can provoke the development of bronchial asthma. There are cases when a dry cough becomes a key factor in the manifestation of heart failure, and the consequences here are much more serious.
You can smooth out symptoms, soften your throat and minimize adverse effects without additional stress on the body using alkaline inhalations. Naturally, you first need to consult a doctor and make a diagnosis. Only knowing a certain type of cough can you prescribe the right medicine to administer it orally by inhalation.
For elimination diseases of the upper and lower respiratorypathways, liquefaction and unhindered removal of sputum and mucus, alkaline inhalations are actively prescribed. The procedure is not only effective, it has virtually no side effects and does not provoke discomfort or allergies.
Advantages therapeutic inhalation using a nebulizer:
- acceleration of the absorption process of drugs;
- increasing the effectiveness of liquid medicinal products due to their conversion into microdisperse aerosol forms;
- targeted effect on the respiratory system;
- minimization of side effects compared to tablets and injections.
What are alkaline inhalations?
Inhalations are conveniently carried out using a nebulizer This method is perfect for treating dry and wet cough. Carrying outalkaline inhalation with nebulizermakes the procedure convenient and easy, and also suitable for home use. The device enhances the therapeutic effect of medications by spraying them directly into the respiratory tract: bronchi and lungs. There are two types of nebulizers:
- ultrasonic – tiny vibrations accelerate the liquid, turning it into an aerosol;
- jet - air flow sprays the medicinal composition in the oral cavity.
This device saves parents when it is necessary to frequently inhale their children. The time of the procedure is significantly reduced when compared with conventional steam procedures. The course must be prescribed by a specialist. The therapist will individually select the medicine and dosage in accordance with the established diagnosis.
For each type of cough, a separate drug is prescribed:
- without sputum - bronchodilators in combination with saline;
- severe attacks of dry cough - hormonal medications and antibiotics used by inhalation;
- wet cough - mucolytics, which quickly dilute sputum and remove it from the body;
- moisturizing and softening the throat - inhalation with soda or mineral water.
On a note! Alkaline inhalations will have a milder and more sustainable effect if you combine the drugs with essential oils or oil mixtures. Oils of cedar, orange, lemon, almond, mint, eucalyptus, sage, juniper, chamomile, oak, pine, etc. will ease coughs and relieve inflammation.
Oil-alkaline inhalations create a kind of protective film, enveloping the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. They are often prescribed for prevention and also as an anti-inflammatory agent for colds. Separated inhalations will give excellent results: alternately you need to do alkaline, then oil. The duration of aromatic procedures lasts on average 10 minutes, frequency – 1 time per day.
Baking soda inhalations can help reduce cold symptoms It is easy and convenient to do alkaline inhalations through a teapot. The very hot solution is poured into a convenient container with a spout. The steam coming out of it is inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nose. You need to breathe calmly, measuredly and slowly, for 5–10 minutes several times a day. After a week of inhalation treatment, the patient will feel great relief.
A device called a nebulizer facilitates the penetration of the composition into the desired areas and significantly speeds up recovery. A similar solution is poured into the device, and it can be used for both children and adults.
Indications for use
Alkaline inhalations requiredfor the following diseases and symptoms:
- dry cough;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- tracheitis;
- runny nose;
- complications of acute respiratory viral infections (rhinosinusitis, laryngotracheitis);
- bacterial and fungal infections of the respiratory tract;
- cystic fibrosis;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- bronchial asthma;
- tuberculosis.
This physiotherapeutic procedure inhalation medicinal solution promotes extensive dispersion of the drug. This effect is achieved most effectively and quickly when usingspecial device– nebulizer. The sprayed drug penetrates the patient's oral cavity through a tube or mask (more convenient for children).
Cough is an indication for the use of inhalations Rules for preparing alkaline and mineral solutions for inhalation
Medicines can be used ready-made, or you can prepare cough remedies yourself. Foralkaline inhalations at homeyou need to follow some rules:
- The water should be hot, but not boiling, otherwise there is a high risk of getting burned. Optimum temperature 43–45 about S.
- It is better to heat mineral water used for alkaline inhalation in a water bath. This way it will not lose its beneficial properties.
- The teapot, where the prepared liquid is collected, should not be filled to the brim, but approximately two-thirds or three-quarters, that is, definitely more than half.
Compound
The most common inhalations are soda. Goes wellalkaline solution for therapeutic inhalationswith essential oils. But they cannot be used in pure form; they must be diluted. Mixing different types of oils with each other is also not recommended, as is combining them with antibiotics and hormonal drugs.
On a note! Mineral waters sold in regular grocery stores or pharmacies are perfect. Essentuki, Narzan, Borjomi will be an ideal composition for inhalation, both with a nebulizer and without a special inhaler.
Mineral water can be used for inhalation Dosage
For soda inhalations, one teaspoon of soda is required per liter of water.
Bronchodilators, antibiotics and mucolytics for inhalers are usually sold in specific dosages in separate ampoules.
But in any case, the dosage must be prescribed by a doctor, since only a professional will be able to take into account all the risk factors, chronic diseases and other pathologies present in the body.
Choosing the right nebulizer
When it comes to purchasing an inhalation device, you first need to find out the types of devices available for sale.
| Type of inhaler | Advantages | Flaws |
| Compressor | Disperses medicinal solutions to the smallest particles.
Enhances the effectiveness of treatment by delivering the drug to hard-to-reach and remote parts of the respiratory system. |
Using a nebulizerOnly available in vertical position.
Too noisy and large. |
| Ultrasonic | Spray the compositions over a wide area, affecting the entire affected surface.
There are mobile models with batteries. Easy to use, not too noisy. |
Ultrasound can reduce the effectiveness of many medicinal solutions to zero.
Antibiotics, mucolytics and hormonal drugs cannot be used in it. Special cups for medicines are required, which is an additional expense. |
| Electronic mesh | Sprays any solutions.
Silent. Works in any body position (including during sleep). Has attachments for adults and children. Sprays the solution at any angle. |
High price |
When purchasing an electric inhaler, you should follow the following recommendations:
- If warming is necessary, an ultrasonic nebulizer is suitable.
- The compressor apparatus is the easiest to operate.
- The electronic mesh nebulizer is considered a universal device.
- Inhalations and exhalations during the proceduremust be calm, slow, nothing should distract you, and you shouldn’t be interrupted either. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the capacity of the tank. A standard session lasts 10–15 minutes, so the volume must be sufficient, otherwise you will have to be distracted and top up the composition.
Rules for inhalation
The procedure for inhaling beneficial substances when coughing must be carried out in accordance with certain requirements:
- After eating, at least 2 hours should pass, regardless of the solution used.
- Inhalations should be carried out before physical therapy exercises so that the mucus accumulated in the respiratory tract is diluted and comes out unhindered.
- The position during the procedure is chosen by the patient himself; inhalations can be done either sitting or lying down. In any case it will beeffective method.
- You need to inhale the medicine calmly, relaxing, using the oral cavity or nasopharynx, depending on the diagnosis.
- To speed up recovery after the session, it is advisable not to drink or eat for an hour, talk less and try not to strain your vocal cords.
Frequency and duration
At the initial stages of therapy, daily procedures can be performed 6–8 times a day. Gradually, every two to three days, their number should be reduced, thus reaching a couple of sessions a day.
What to do if you don't have an inhaler
If you don’t have a special device, a small teapot with a spout or a saucepan or basin will do. To enhance the effect and “hold” the vapors close to you, directing hot air into your own respiratory tract, cover your head with a terry towel. It is important that the water is hot, then the steam is released intensely and has a high temperature. It shouldn't burn, but it should warm the throat.
Inhalations can be performed at home even without a nebulizer Contraindications
Even a useful medical procedure has contraindications. Alkaline inhalations are not recommended for:
- respiratory failure;
- frequent nosebleeds;
- problems with the heart and blood vessels;
- tuberculosis;
- high temperature;
- severe inflammation.
It is advisable to purchase an electric inhaler for home use for independent use; it is much more convenient than going to a clinic or hospital for physiotherapeutic procedures. Moreover, when there are small children in the family, the device will be used often.
A number of colds and viral diseases are recommended to be treated using a procedure such as inhalation. It is part of a complex treatment, and correctly selected components and frequency of use of this manipulation make it possible to more effectively get rid of cough and runny nose. , and against the background of expectorant mucaltic drugs, dry cough and runny nose will recede faster.
Despite the fact that there are many medications designed to combat viral infections in pharmacy kiosks, alkaline inhalations remain one of the most used methods. The solution for the alkaline inhalation procedure is easy to prepare, all ingredients are available, the manipulation lasts only a few minutes, and the procedure itself is suitable for both adults and children.
Effect of carrying out
Alkaline inhalations are recommended for adults and children with a prolonged dry cough. The solution is placed in a special vessel (it is better if it is a pre-purchased nebulizer) and its vapor, when inhaled, is delivered directly to the upper respiratory tract. Alkali allows you to achieve a quick effect, relieving inflammatory and edematous processes and activating the liquefaction, secretion and discharge of sputum.
Depending on the severity and advanced stage of the disease, the doctor may recommend oil-alkaline inhalations. In this case, a few drops of essential oil are added to the solution. The effect is achieved due to the fact that the oils cover the nasopharynx with a special protective film. And such procedures are used for severe colds and inflammatory diseases.
And yet, we must not forget that alkaline inhalations, like any other procedures, should not be used without the consent of a doctor. Only a specialist who made a diagnosis based on the examination can determine the necessary ingredients, the concentration of the solution and the frequency of the procedure for adults and children. This is due to the fact that a prolonged dry cough has a negative effect on the nerve endings of the nasopharynx, and insufficiently effective treatment can cause bronchial asthma or cardiovascular failure.
Indications for use
The inhalation procedure is indicated for acute respiratory and viral infections, bronchitis, inflammatory processes of the larynx and lungs, tonsillitis and laryngitis. In some cases, the recommendations may be applicable to diseases of the middle ear and occupational respiratory diseases. The solution is used for adults and children with a dosage and regimen determined by the doctor.
Alkaline inhalations quickly eliminate the symptoms of dry and “barking” cough that occur with pneumonia and bronchitis; they are indicated after recovery for the localization of complications and for children for prevention purposes.
Contraindications
The doctor prescribing alkaline inhalations will definitely inquire about your state of health. And this applies not only to the diagnosis, but also to a number of chronic diseases for which these procedures are contraindicated.
These include the following:
- Elevated temperature (over 38°C) with colds, severe inflammatory and viral diseases;
- The solution is not used for weak and brittle blood vessels and regular nosebleeds;
- Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension;
- Tuberculosis.
It is not advisable to perform the procedure when treating children under the age of 1.5-2 years. Steam inhalation may not only not bring the desired result, but also aggravate the disease.
At home
At home, do steam inhalation using an alkaline solution, preferably with a nebulizer. This device effectively sprays the medicinal components necessary for treatment using ultrasound or a jet of steam into the upper respiratory tract. This is especially convenient when performing the procedure for children, since children are prescribed inhalations more frequently than adults.
The alkaline solution is combined with various drugs, including oil mixtures, bronchodilators, and in severe cases, antibiotics. To soften the solution for young children, many experts recommend making it with mineral water.
But the simplest and most effective recipe for preparing a solution for inhalation is a teaspoon of baking soda diluted in 0.5 liters of boiled hot water. If there is no nebulizer at home, then the mixture is poured into an ordinary small teapot (preferably with a long spout). Alkaline vapors are inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nose. The duration of the procedure for children should not exceed 1-1.5 minutes, for adults – no more than 10 minutes.
However, these are average data, which will definitely be corrected by the attending physician. He will determine how many times a day you need to perform the manipulation. Inhalations using essential oils are not used more than once a day. If there is an urgent need for a procedure, the alkaline and oil solutions are prepared separately; first, alkaline inhalation is carried out, then oil inhalation. As a rule, peach or almond oil is used for this, but if you have regular refined sunflower oil on hand, you can use that too. Doctors often recommend using menthol or eucalyptus in the solution to clear the sinuses.
Despite the fact that alkali-based inhalations are simple and effective in treating colds, do not forget about drug treatment. After all, such procedures give the desired result only when the treatment is carried out in combination. At the pharmacy today you can purchase special, already prepared alkaline solutions of varying concentrations or alkaline mineral water.
After the very first manipulations, breathing becomes cleaner and deeper, cough softens, and phlegm begins to clear. It is recommended to carry out the procedure 2-3 hours after eating. After this, it is not advisable to talk for at least an hour or go outside.