Inhalations with soda when coughing at home
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is used as a rinse solution for the purpose of disinfecting the mouth, throat, and inhalation with soda is just the main recipe for treating most colds. Many, for example, have seen the effectiveness and safety of this tool, so if necessary, they return to it again and again. Its therapeutic focus is a pathogenic flora (bacteria, fungi and viruses), and the mechanism of action is to oppress their activity and to prevent their spread.
[Indications for the procedure
The main symptoms, which are indications for the procedure, runny nose, nasal congestion, pain and sore throat, dry and wet cough, and cause such symptoms are laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, allergic reactions and even cancer lungs.
Inhalations with soda with a dry cough
An abrupt dry cough occurs as a result of irritation of the nerve receptors located on the bronchial mucosa. It is usually caused by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, and pathogens - pathogenic microorganisms. It is not productive, it does not have sputum and is characterized by a high frequency of contraction of the muscles of the respiratory tube, which causes the formation of barking intense cough. Soda softens the mucous, eliminates its inflammation and coughing spasms, so inhalation with it with a dry cough is very effective, help get rid of unpleasant symptoms and go to the stage of productive cough.
Preparation
Before the procedure is not recommended to eat. It is best if the interval between ingestion and inhalation is 1.5-2 hours. Another preparation is to prepare dishes, above which it will be convenient to breathe steam, an inhaler or a nebulizer. You will also need water, soda and other ingredients that increase the effectiveness of the treatment, a towel or any natural tissue.
Technique of the inhalation with soda
Inhalations with soda are very simple to implement in a home environment. This is a steam inhalation, which is done over a conventional pan or with a kettle. The technique is quite simple, but the result is good: moist warm steam with soda evaporation moisturizes, softens the mucous membrane, kills the pathogenic flora, thereby freeing the nose from mucous secretions and facilitating breathing, removes spasmodic cough, makes phlegm less viscous and facilitates their evacuation from respiratory ways, speeding up recovery. Solution for inhalation is prepared as follows: a liter of water is heated to a temperature of 45-50 °, add a teaspoon of soda, stir well, pour into an inhaler or improvised means, bend over the surface at a distance of 30-35 cm and take cover if it is a saucepan. The exhalations and exhalations are carried out calmly and measuredly. For treatment, the nasopharynx is inhaled by the nose and exhaled by the mouth, bronchi - on the contrary. When using a teapot in a spout for convenience, insert a funnel or a cone-twisted piece of paper, cardboard. A day can hold up to 4 procedures, the duration of each from 5 to 10 minutes. The average therapeutic course is 7-10 days.
Recipes for inhalation with soda
To enhance the effect of the steam procedure, various ingredients with therapeutic properties are added to the solution, and boiled potatoes are used instead of water for steam production. Here are some inhalation recipes:
- with soda and salt - the addition of table salt to the water, can be iodized, will strengthen the antibacterial and antiseptic effect (a spoonful of each per liter). It is even better to use sea. It is extracted from sea water by evaporation, it has a pronounced therapeutic effect, because is saturated with various health components: potassium, calcium, bromine, magnesium, iodine, iron, chlorine, manganese, copper, etc. Each of the biologically active substances plays its positive role in the course of vital processes, including healing of wounds, restoration cellular structures, strengthening the body's defenses;
- with soda and iodine - iodine alcohol solution is sold in pharmacies and used for disinfection. They lubricate various skin lesions, but in no case do not take inside. For inhalations, a few drops and its vapor will increase the antiseptic effect of the procedure;
- garlic and soda - the utility of this vegetable is an axiom that does not require proof. Not only taste qualities attract to it, but also the opportunity to saturate yourself with vitamins, beneficial substances, strengthen the protective barrier. It lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, dilutes blood, which means it is good for the heart and blood vessels; has a diuretic and diaphoretic effect; it contains the amino acid cysteine and alliin, which, when the integrity of the tooth is broken, combine to form an antibiotic, allicin. Grind garlic (enough 2 medium heads) is added to a liter of hot water along with a teaspoon of soda. Such a composition increases the bactericidal and fungicidal effect of inhalation;
- with potatoes and soda - this way many mothers use when treating children for colds, and adults often resort to it. Before cooking, the tubers are well washed, tk. In the future, the peel will not be removed. When the potatoes are ready, the water is drained, slightly pressed, allowed to cool slightly, and soda is added. Inhale in pairs, covering your head with a towel. Another option involves the use of potato broth with soda for inhalation;
- with validol and soda - unlike previous recipes, this one is not very well known, nevertheless it is quite effective due to the active substance of tablets - menthol, which is essentially an extract of mint. Validol has a reflex vasodilator property, when it hits the mucous, it reduces cough spasm, expands the nasal passages, facilitates breathing. The standard volume of the prepared liquid is sufficient for one diluted tablet of validol;
- with soda and saline solution - saline is a salt dissolved in distilled water. In pharmacies, it is sold under the name "Sodium chloride solution for infusion 0.9%." He has many appointments: to develop medicines for the preparation of injections, to remove toxic substances from the body, to wash out wounds, eyes, nose mucosa, to use for inhalations by a nebulizer;
- with soda-buffer - such a solution, intended for intravenous injections, is sold in pharmacies and is suitable for a nebulizer - a device by which a substance filled into it under pressure turns into an aerosol. The smallest particles of sodium hydrogencarbonate penetrate deeply into the bronchi and lungs, saturate their tissues with oxygen, increase the flow of blood to them, help moisturize the mucous membranes and transfer the cough from the unproductive stage to productive with the separation of sputum. Prepare a solution for the nebulizer could be and itself, but it is difficult to dissolve soda completely and its particles are able to hammer the channels of the inhaler.
Inhalations with soda for children
Steam inhalations are prohibited for children up to 1,5-2 years. In the future, you need to consult a pediatrician so as not to harm the child. After 10 years of inhalation, including with soda, in the absence of contraindications are applied. As for procedures with a nebulizer, it is safe and effective in case of hoarseness of the voice, runny nose, perspiration and soreness in the throat, coughing. For this, it is best to use a pharmacy with a soda-buffer. Inhalations with soda for children will help to get rid of colds, remove puffiness and inflammation of the nasopharynx, facilitate cough.
Inhalation with soda during pregnancy
During the gestation of the child, the future mother has many limitations and often the respiratory disease makes women nervous because of fear of using a chemical medication. In addition to psychological discomfort due to congestion of the nose, attacks of barking cough, the fetus may lack oxygen and this requires taking measures to eliminate symptoms. Just inhalation with soda during pregnancy is quite safe and harmless procedure both in relation to the body of a woman, and the fetus at any period of pregnancy. It improves the general condition, frees the respiratory tract from mucus, relieves inflammation.
Consequences after the procedure
Failure to follow the rules of the steam procedure can lead to burns if the water is too hot. The breath of the steam under the towel can provoke a rapid heartbeat, headache, increased blood pressure, dizziness, loss of coordination. The consequences after the procedure can also lead to increased coughing. Such complications can not be ignored, but you must always consult a doctor, and maybe even call an ambulance. Do not exclude stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting. This may indicate a violation of the acid-base balance of the body, because soda is an acid neutralizing agent. Possible and allergic to soda.
Reviews
The well-known "grandfather's" procedure for treating colds is still in demand, as evidenced by numerous reviews. To its positive aspects include low cost and high efficiency. It is noted that often only inhalations are sufficient to correct health without the use of drug treatment.