Inhalation with baking soda for cough at home

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is used in the form of solutions for rinsing to disinfect the mouth, throat, and inhalations with soda are simply the main recipe for treating most people with colds. Many have seen for themselves the effectiveness and safety of this remedy, so they return to it again and again when necessary. Its therapeutic focus is pathogenic flora (bacteria, fungi and viruses), and the mechanism of action is to suppress their activity and prevent their spread.

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Indications for the procedure

The main symptoms that are indications for the procedure are a runny nose, nasal congestion, pain and sore throat, dry and wet cough, and such symptoms are caused by laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sore throat, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, allergic reactions and even lung cancer.

Inhalations with soda for dry cough

A tearing dry cough occurs as a result of irritation of the nerve receptors located on the mucous membrane of the bronchi. It is most often provoked by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, and the causative agents are pathogenic microorganisms. It is not productive, no sputum is released and it is characterized by a high frequency of contraction of the muscles of the respiratory tube, causing the formation of a barking intense cough. Soda softens the mucous membrane, eliminates its inflammation and cough spasms, so inhalations with it for dry cough are very effective, help get rid of unpleasant symptoms and move to the stage of productive cough.

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Preparation

It is not recommended to eat before the procedure. It is best if the interval between eating and inhalation is 1.5-2 hours. Other preparation consists of preparing a dish over which it will be convenient to breathe steam, an inhaler or nebulizer. You will also need water, soda and other components that increase the effectiveness of the treatment, a towel or any natural fabric.

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Technique baking soda

Inhalations with soda are very easy to do at home. This is a steam inhalation, which is done over a regular saucepan or with a kettle. The technique is very simple, but the result is good: moist warm steam with soda fumes moisturizes, softens the mucous membrane, kills pathogenic flora, thereby freeing the nose from mucous secretions and facilitating breathing, removes spasmodic cough, makes phlegm less viscous and facilitates its evacuation from the respiratory tract, accelerating recovery. The inhalation solution is prepared as follows: a liter of water is heated to a temperature of 45-50 °, a teaspoon of soda is added, mixed well, poured into an inhaler or improvised means, lean over the surface at a distance of 30-35 cm and cover yourself, if it is a saucepan. Inhalations and exhalations are carried out calmly and measuredly. To treat the nasopharynx, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, and the bronchi - vice versa. When using a teapot, insert a funnel or a piece of paper or cardboard rolled into a cone into the spout for convenience. Up to 4 procedures can be performed per day, each lasting 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 medicinal properties are added to the solution, and boiled potatoes are used instead of water to obtain steam. Here are some inhalation recipes:

• with soda and salt - adding table salt to water, you can use iodized salt, will enhance the antibacterial and antiseptic effect (a spoon of each per liter). It is even better to use sea salt. It is extracted from sea water by evaporation, it has a pronounced therapeutic effect, because it is saturated with various components beneficial to health: 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 promoting wound healing, restoration of cellular structures, strengthening the body's defenses;
• with soda and iodine - an alcohol solution of iodine is sold in pharmacies and is used for disinfection. It is used to lubricate various skin lesions, but in no case is it taken internally. For inhalation, a few drops are enough and its vapors will enhance the antiseptic effect of the procedure;
• garlic and soda - the usefulness of this vegetable is an axiom that does not require proof. Not only the taste qualities attract to it, but also the opportunity to saturate yourself with vitamins, nutrients, strengthen the protective barrier. It lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, thins the blood, and therefore is useful 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 clove is destroyed, combine and form the antibiotic allicin. Crushed garlic (2 medium heads are enough) is added to a liter of hot water along with a teaspoon of soda. This composition increases the bactericidal and fungicidal effect of inhalation;
• with potatoes and soda - many mothers use this method when treating children for colds, and adults often resort to it. Before cooking, the tubers are washed well, because the skin will not come off later. When the potatoes are ready, drain the water, lightly crush them, let them cool a little, add soda. Inhale the steam, covering your head with a towel. Another option involves using a potato broth with soda for inhalation;
• with validol and soda - unlike the previous recipes, this one is not very well known, however, it is quite effective due to the active substance of the tablets - menthol, which is essentially an extract of mint. Validol has a reflex vasodilator property, when it gets on the mucous membranes, it reduces cough spasm, expands the nasal passages, and facilitates breathing. For a standard volume of prepared liquid, one crushed tablet of validol is enough;
• with soda and saline solution - saline solution is table salt dissolved in distilled water. In pharmacies it is sold under the name "Sodium chloride solution for infusions 0.9%". It has many purposes: to dilute medicines for injections, remove toxic substances from the body, wash wounds, eyes, nasal mucosa, use for inhalation with a nebulizer;
• with soda-buffer - such a solution, intended for intravenous administration, is sold in pharmacies and is suitable for a nebulizer - a device with the help of which the substance poured into it turns into an aerosol under pressure. The smallest particles of sodium bicarbonate penetrate deep into the bronchi and lungs, saturate their tissues with oxygen, increase the blood flow to them, promote moisturizing of the mucous membranes and the transition of cough from the unproductive stage to the productive one with the separation of sputum. It would be possible to prepare a solution for a nebulizer yourself, but soda is difficult to dissolve completely and its particles can clog the inhaler channels.

Inhalations with soda for children

Steam inhalations are prohibited for children under 1.5-2 years old. Subsequently, you need to consult a pediatrician so as not to harm the child. After 10 years, inhalations, including with soda, are used in the absence of contraindications. As for procedures with a nebulizer, this is safe and effective in case of hoarseness, runny nose, sore throat and pain in the throat, cough. For this, it is best to use a pharmacy product - soda buffer. Inhalations with soda for children will help get rid of the manifestations of a cold, relieve swelling and inflammation of the nasopharynx, facilitate coughing.

Inhalations with soda during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the expectant mother has many restrictions and often a respiratory disease makes women nervous because of the fear of using a chemical drug. In addition to psychological discomfort due to nasal congestion, barking cough attacks, the fetus may experience a lack of oxygen and this requires taking measures to eliminate the symptoms. In particular, inhalation with soda during pregnancy is a completely safe and harmless procedure both in relation to the woman's body and the fetus at any stage of pregnancy. It improves the general condition, frees the respiratory tract from mucus, relieves inflammation.

Contraindications to the procedure

Inhalations with soda have the same contraindications as any other:

• elevated body temperature (above 37.5°);
• hypertension;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• the presence of tumor and purulent processes (sinusitis, tonsillitis);
• soda intolerance;
• early childhood.

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Consequences after the procedure

Failure to follow the rules for carrying out a steam procedure can lead to burns if the water is too hot. Breathing in steam under a towel can provoke increased heart rate, headache, increased blood pressure, dizziness, loss of coordination. The consequences after the procedure can also result in increased coughing. Such complications cannot be ignored, but it is necessary to consult a doctor, and maybe even call an ambulance. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting are not excluded. This may indicate a violation of the acid-base balance of the body, because soda is an acid-neutralizing agent. An allergy to soda is also possible.

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Care after the procedure

The procedure itself relaxes and soothes, so the best care after it is to lie down, lie down, and if possible, fall asleep. Physical activity, drinking, or eating immediately after it is undesirable. After steam inhalations, you should not immediately go outside in the cold season.

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Reviews

The well-known "grandfather's" procedure for treating colds is still in demand, as evidenced by numerous reviews. Its positive aspects include low costs and high efficiency. It is noted that inhalations alone are often enough to improve health without the use of medication.