Inhalations at temperature: basic indications, rules and types
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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[Indications for inhalation at temperature
Since in the process of local treatment with the help of inhalants useful substances and medicinal components of herbs fall directly on the mucosa of the respiratory tract, then in the list of indications for inhalation at the temperature are:
- acute respiratory disease (cold);
- rhinitis (with swelling and difficulty of nasal breathing).
- tonsillitis (except purulent);
- sinusitis and rhinosinusitis;
- pharyngitis;
- tracheitis;
- laryngitis and laryngotracheitis;
- bronchitis in acute form;
- pneumonia.
In clinical otolaryngology, steam inhalations at a temperature are recognized as an effective way to remove mucosal edema, reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process in the nasopharynx, reduce hypersecretion of mucus in the trachea and bronchi, make the sputum less dense and thereby facilitate its coughing.
Inhalations are not used in cases of aspiration bronchitis; pneumocystis, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus and hemophilic pneumonia; purulent pleurisy and air accumulation in the pleural cavity (pneumothorax). Also, inhalations are contraindicated - regardless of the presence or absence of fever - with pulmonary hemorrhage, airway obstruction, severe forms of heart failure, and abnormal rhythm of myocardial contractions. It is not recommended inhalation therapy with hot steam at high arterial pressure.
How is inhalation done at a temperature?
If the house has an inhaler or nebulizer, then, of course, you will use them. Although it should be borne in mind that these devices are not recommended for inhalation with essential oils, as well as with solutions in which there may be some insoluble particles, for example, with decoctions of medicinal plants.
Generationally proven method of inhalation with a runny nose and cough: a container with freshly harvested "potatoes" (you need to drain the water) and a towel that needs to be covered with a head to breathe a healing steam. And steam really helps with inflammation of the mucous upper airways: in potato, due to the content of metapectinic acid, alkaline reaction, and warm steam brings these alkalis to the inflamed mucosa. And alkalis, as is known, contribute to the disinfection of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasopharynx.
But let's dwell on how inhalations are carried out at a temperature in another home way - above the teapot spout. To do this, freshly prepared hot decoction of herbs or other solution for inhalation is poured into the kettle, covered with a lid, and a cone made of cardboard or heavy paper is put on the spout. Note that its lower opening should be slightly larger than the diameter of the spout (so that it is inside the cone), and the top of the improvised funnel covers the nose and mouth.
With sore throat and cough, steam should be inhaled with the mouth, and exhale through the nose. With a cold and stuffy nose - on the contrary. The duration of one procedure for adults - 10 minutes, you need to do it twice or thrice a day. Children warm-moist inhalation (with the temperature of the inhalation solution + 40 ° C) is no more than three minutes. Both children and adults should be treated no earlier than an hour after ingestion, and after inhalation there is no need to talk or talk for 40-45 minutes.
Types of inhalation at temperature
Specific types of inhalation at a temperature depend on the symptoms of diseases requiring the use of this therapeutic method, as well as on the composition of the solution, whose pairs are most effective in coping with the manifestations of the disease.
A positive effect in the runny nose and coughing is given by inhalation at a temperature of a solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). To prepare a soda solution, two tablespoons of soda should be filled with two glasses of water, heated to not less than + 60 ° C. At this temperature, sodium hydrogencarbonate decomposes to produce sodium carbonate, which immediately undergoes hydrolysis, providing an inhaled vapor with an alkaline reaction.
For inhalation, medicinal plants that produce phytoncides - biologically active substances with bactericidal properties - are widely used. First of all, these are the leaves of eucalyptus, rosemary, birch, oak; pine needles, fir and juniper; chamomile, sage, thyme.
Inhalation with infusion of eucalyptus leaves - a tablespoon per 200 ml of boiling water (insist half an hour) - well dilute sputum when coughing. The leaves can be replaced with essential oil of eucalyptus (3-4 drops on a glass of water).
Decoction of chamomile (250 ml of water - two tablespoons of dried flowers) is used for inhalation with redness, pain and choking in the throat: the chamazulene contained in this plant has anti-inflammatory and local-healing properties. Thanks to the content of thymol in thyme, inhalation with its infusion (tablespoon per cup of boiling water) help not worse than expectorant medicines for coughing.
Also, when coughing and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract are useful inhalation at a temperature with the use of pine buds, fir or juniper oil, which are rich in particularly potent phytoncides - terpenoids (pinene, limonene, etc.). Decoction of pine buds is prepared at the rate of three tablespoons per 0.5 liters of water, boil should be on low heat for about 15 minutes, and then the container is tightly closed and this time to insist. And essential oils (no more than 4 drops per 200 ml of water) for the best effect, you need to drip into a spoon with a pinch of salt, and already salt with oils to stir in water, brought to almost boil.
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, there may be complications of inhalation at a temperature. So, if the steam was too hot, you can get a burn of the mucous larynx. In addition, frequent or prolonged inhalations can cause an increase in mucosal secretion in tracheitis and bronchitis, which threatens with airway obstruction and even acute respiratory failure.
Doing inhalation at a temperature, remember that from benefit to harm, as from the great to the ridiculous, there can be only one step. Therefore, be careful and follow all the rules.