Cough, runny nose and "cloudy" state of the body can happen at any time of the year. Many methods have been tried to treat colds. Some of them carry a quick cure, but the consequences of taking shock doses of medications can be deplorable and not appear immediately. But the methods that have long been offered by traditional medicine, and now traditional medicine, solve the problem gradually, but at the same time do not harm he alth and strengthen immunity.
Indications for inhalation use
Inhalations at home with a runny nose, cough or colds seem to be the most affordable way to get the desired result. The method works if the patient does not suffer from another disease that causes similar symptoms. For example, for people unfamiliar with allergies and experiencing a reaction to an irritant for the first time, symptoms may seem like the start of a cold. Not all allergic diseases can be treated with inhalation. Before starting the procedure, it is worth consulting a doctor to clarify the diagnosis, otherwise the situation may be aggravated as a result of treatment.
Inhalation at home for cough and runny noseapply for the following indications:
- Exacerbation of chronic upper respiratory tract diseases.
- SARS with complications (laryngitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis, etc.).
- Fungal diseases of the respiratory system.
- Pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis.
- Cystic fibrosis, pneumonia in the 3rd stage (sputum separation).
- HIV Respiratory Disorders.
- Prevention of congestion in the postoperative period.
Cough and runny nose are manifestations of the symptoms of the disease. Before starting treatment, you need to make sure that inhalations will contribute to a speedy recovery.
Contraindications
The use of any type of therapy has its own contraindications. Neglecting them can lead to complications, the emergence of new diseases, and often irreparable consequences. You can not use inhalation at home with a runny nose, cough and other symptoms in the following conditions or diseases:
- Higher than normal body temperature (over 37.5°C).
- Any nosebleeds.
- Arrhythmia, cardiovascular failure.
- Hypertension (grade 2 and above).
- Pulmonary failure.
- Pulmonary bleeding, pulmonary emphysema.
- Allergy to medicinal agents (drugs, herbal remedies, essential oils, etc.).
- Age (not recommended for children under 2).
What is inhalation
Inhalation is a methodtreatment in which crushed drugs are delivered using heated steam, aerosols when inhaled. The word "inhalation" is an analogue of the Latin "inhalo" (I breathe in). Steam inhalation with a runny nose at home helps fine particles of medicines get directly into the focus of infection - the bronchi, the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Treatment is local in nature, but inhalation of vapors saturated with useful natural ingredients not only has a positive effect on focal diseases, but also has a beneficial effect on the state of the immune and nervous systems. For women, one more positive aspect can be added - moisturizing and cleansing of the skin, which occurs while you have to breathe in useful steam.
Benefits
Inhalations at home with a runny nose have the following advantages:
- With stuffy breath without a runny nose (dry rhinitis), inhalations saturate the mucous membrane and provoke mucus rejection.
- With abundant, but difficult separation of mucus, it helps to painlessly accelerate its evacuation.
- With a runny nose caused by allergies, help to quickly remove the allergen from the nasopharynx.
- In diseases of acute respiratory viral infections, they alleviate the general condition of the patient, saturate the tissues of the nasopharyngeal mucosa with moisture, and strengthen the immune system.
Cough inhalations are no less effective:
- Steam moisturizing of the mucous membrane, which relieves the condition of a debilitating dry cough.
- Reduces the excitability of irritated receptors,enveloping the mucous membrane.
- Produces mucus production and less painful coughing.
- Sputum liquefaction, rapid evacuation.
- Eliminates bronchospasm in case of allergic cough.
- Gradual destruction of infectious agents, strengthening immunity.
Types of inhalations
In the arsenal of traditional and folk medicine, inhalations for a cold at home are carried out in several ways:
- Steam inhalation, or heat and moisture. The temperature of the solution ranges from +42 °C to +50 °C. Safe and effective exposure time is 5 to 10 minutes. To create a therapeutic solution, medicinal herbs and essential oils (for which there is no allergic reaction), medications prescribed by a doctor, soda, and antibacterial drugs are used. This type of treatment is most beneficial at the initial stage of the disease.
- Oil inhalation. The oil is heated to a temperature of about 38°C, the exposure time is about 10 minutes. If desired, the oil can be added to hot water and breathed over a container with a solution. This type of inhalation helps with dry cough, lack of separation of mucus from the nose. They use eucalyptus, olive oils, tea tree oil, peach, coniferous and many others have a positive effect. Before use, make sure that there is no allergic reaction.
- Dry inhalation. Plants with active antiviral phytocides are used: onion, garlic, horseradish root. Natural raw materials are crushed and placed in a room wherethe patient is located. Action - antibacterial.
- Hardware inhalation. The developed devices for home use allow inhalation both with steam and without the use of steam. The inhaler device sprays the drug into an aerosol.
Inhalations are divided into types according to the temperature regime:
- Cold. The temperature of the solution for the procedure does not exceed 30 °C.
- Heat-moist. The solution is heated to 45 °C.
- Steam. The temperature does not exceed 50 °С.
Rules of procedure
The success of the healing process directly depends on the correctness of its implementation. Inhalations at home with a runny nose, cough, SARS have features, and you should not neglect them:
- The procedure should be carried out one hour after eating. The patient should not be hungry.
- After the procedure, do not eat or drink for 30-40 minutes.
- Don't talk for 30-60 minutes after treatment.
- It is contraindicated to go outside for two hours after the procedure.
- If medications are used for inhalation, then you need to know the recipe and follow it with an accuracy of 1 gram.
- During the inhalation process, it is necessary to take deep, smooth breaths and exhalations.
- For children aged 2 to 5 years, the inhalation time is 3 minutes, from 5 to 12 years, the procedure is carried out 5-10 minutes.
- Inhalation solutionagent is prepared before use.
- When you have a runny nose, you should breathe through your nose, when coughing and respiratory diseases - through your mouth.
- When prescribing several types of inhalations for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, a runny nose, inhalations with bronchodilators are first used, after them - with expectorant properties.
- When using industrial inhalers, it is required to rinse the device before and after the inhalation session.
Healing Agents
For inhalation, plant materials, medicines, oils are used. There are many recipes, but some of them are time-tested and show effectiveness in application:
- Inhalation with a cold at home with soda. Base solution recipe: 1 teaspoon of baking soda is added to one glass of hot water (up to 50°C). Breathe over the vapors of the solution for 5-10 minutes.
- Alkaline mineral waters - "Essentuki-17", "Narzan", "Borjomi", etc. are well suited as a solution for inhalation. The water is heated to 50°C and a therapy session is held.
- Inhalation with a cold at home with chamomile. First you need to prepare a decoction of chamomile, for this it is enough to pour one tablespoon of dry herbs with one glass of boiling water and let it brew for 20 minutes - the solution for inhalation is ready. If the infusion has cooled, just add hot water and carry out the procedure.
- Inhalation using pine needles. To prepare the solution, the needles must be soaked for severalhours in water at room temperature, then heat until steam appears. If there are no needles at hand, you can get by with essential oil (2 drops per glass of warm water) of pine, spruce, cedar, etc. A few drops are added to hot water. For young children, you can leave a bucket or pot of hot solution in the room for a period of sleep. The container is closed with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. In order for the solution to give off healing steam longer, the container must be thermally insulated (wrap it with a blanket, thick towel, etc.).
- Inhalation with a cold at home with potatoes. One of the most common and effective ways to carry out the procedure. The potatoes are boiled in their uniforms, the water is drained, it is necessary to breathe, bending over the tubers. If desired and necessary, you can add eucalyptus essential oil.
How to inhale at home
There are three ways to create an inhalator at home. The easiest way is to use a pan for these purposes. A warm or hot medicinal solution is poured into the container, in order not to lose steam, it is necessary to cover the head with a towel, while closing the borders of the pan. In general, it is necessary to create a closed space in which steam will circulate. In order not to burn the skin, on the area of the lips, the skin around the eyes, it is necessary to apply a protective cream to the open areas. After 5-10 minutes, the procedure is completed.
The next method uses a kettle. A hot composition with medicinal ingredients is poured into it, a funnel is inserted into the spout of the teapot, throughwhich steam is supplied. The method is good for those who do not tolerate the influence of hot steam, as in the previous described method. The funnel can be made from thick cardboard.
For inhalation procedures at home with a runny nose or cough, there are devices - household inhalers. To date, there are many such techniques, with different methods of carrying out the procedure. The question is only in the choice, before use, you should read the instructions.
Features of the procedure for children
Inhalation at home with a cold in children is carried out with caution. For babies under two years of age, the procedure is not recommended. It is difficult to persuade a child to breathe steam over a pot, potato or kettle. Using the device simplifies the task, since the process can take place in a playful way. But there are ways to help the child and arrange an inhalation in a somewhat expanded form.
One way is to place the child in a small room and fill it with healing steam. An important condition is ventilation. If there is a bath, then the issue is solved simply. You can persuade the child to breathe over the potatoes, and as an entertaining element, use a large umbrella with which to close the container with potatoes. In this case, it is worth making sure that the child does not get burned. The time frame for inhalation by home methods is from 10 to 20 minutes.
Features of the procedure for pregnant women
Inhalation at homeconditions with a runny nose for pregnant women are carried out with some features. In anticipation of the child, the expectant mother tries to observe the daily routine, avoid diseases, but a runny nose overtakes almost everyone. It is dangerous because it provokes a lack of oxygen, which can harm the child. Inhalation is the safest method of treatment, which has limitations:
- Do not use drugs that have an allergic reaction or a predisposition to it.
- During pregnancy it is forbidden to use essential oils: cypress, rosemary, cedar, dill, nightshade, marjoram.
- During the procedure, iodine should be excluded from the list of ingredients used.
- General contraindications apply to pregnant women, inhalation should be abandoned if you feel unwell.
Conclusion
Inhalation at home for coughs and runny nose is a simple and effective way to get rid of nasal and throat congestion. It stimulates the body's internal reserves, does not violate human nature, but rather quickly and easily restores lost he alth.
