Inhale

and Sabine Schrör, medical journalist

Valeria Dahm is a freelance writer in the medical department. She studied medicine at the Technical University of Munich. It is particularly important to her to give the curious reader an insight into the exciting subject area of medicine and at the same time to maintain the content.

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Sabine Schrör is a freelance writer for the medical team. She studied business administration and public relations in Cologne. As a freelance editor, she has been at home in a wide variety of industries for more than 15 years. Health is one of her favorite subjects.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

When inhaling, active ingredients such as essential oils or medication are inhaled into the airways (inhalation). A saline solution for inhalation has also proven its worth. The effects of inhalation are mainly used to treat respiratory diseases. For example, inhaling helps with colds and coughs. Read here which complaints you can inhale with thyme or chamomile tea and what you should pay attention to!

What is inhalation?

Inhalation refers to the inhalation of gas, vapor or an aerosol (finest particles distributed in gas). In most cases, the inhalation solution is intended to relieve respiratory diseases. For example, inhaling helps with a cold.

For effective inhalation, the active ingredients can be administered quickly and easily with the help of various types of inhaler.

When do you inhale?

In the case of acute respiratory diseases, the inhalation of steam or essential oils is a tried and tested home remedy. For example, you can inhale:

Cough and bronchitis
sniffles
hoarseness

Inhaling also works on the sinuses. The procedure is also suitable for treating sinusitis.

In addition, drugs that are supposed to work in the lungs are brought into the alveoli via a so-called inhaler. For example, it has proven itself:

Inhalation for bronchial asthma
Inhalation for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Inhalation for cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis)

How do you inhale properly?

To inhale correctly has to be learned. The simplest method (steam inhalation) involves filling a large vessel, such as a bowl, with hot water. Depending on the type of complaint, various inhalation additives (such as medicinal herbs) can be added. For example, inhaling with chamomile is popular.

Now you bend over the vessel and spread a towel over your head and the bowl underneath so that the rising steam cannot escape to the sides. The active ingredients reach the deeper airways through the mouth and nose through slow, deep breaths.

Inhale - with what?

Discuss with your doctor beforehand what you should use for inhalation. He will also advise you on how often and for how long to inhale. For example, with respiratory diseases, you can inhale hot water vapors with the addition of chamomile. The medicinal plant has anti-inflammatory and germicidal effects. For example, if you have a cough, you can inhale with thyme. You can also use Emsers salt to inhale. This is a ready-made saline solution from the pharmacy.

Inhaling sage or tea tree oil is also effective against cold symptoms. Also, if you have a cold, you can inhale some cold ointments that contain eucalyptus oil. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

In the pharmacy you can also get inhalation devices, if one is advisable for your illness (asthma etc.). The pharmacist can advise you on the selection of the right inhaler. For example, there are powder inhalers in which the active ingredient is CFC-free as a powder. A powder inhaler is designed to simplify the interaction between breathing and inhalation.

Inhale with salt

Inhale salt water? Sounds strange at first, but makes sense. How inhaling with salt water (brine inhalation) can help you, and how to inhale correctly with a saline solution, you can read in the article Inhaling with salt.

Inhale with an inhaler

In asthma or COPD, a single spray from an asthma inhaler is usually enough to relieve breathing difficulties. This can be life-saving, especially in acute attacks.

In general, inhalation is simplified with an inhalation device. It is used to “nebulize” the active ingredients, ie to bring them into the lungs in the form of tiny particles. No steam is required for this. There are different types of inhaler:

Art

functionality

use

Hints

Metered dose aerosol

(like Bronchocort, Flutiform, Forair)

Active agent and propellant mixed in pressure vessel

Exhale, wrap your lips around the mouthpiece, release the spray and inhale deeply at the same time, hold your breath briefly

Shake well before use

Powder inhaler

(such as disc inhaler, Turbohaler, Aerolizer, Spiromax)

Active agent as powder without propellant

Exhale, wrap your lips around the mouthpiece, release the spray and inhale deeply at the same time, hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds

Different forms of application depending on the manufacturer, unpleasant taste possible

Dosing aerosol

You can read more about this type of inhaler in the metered dose aerosol article.

What are the risks of inhalation?

If done correctly, inhalation involves practically no risks. If you are unsure how to use it, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain how to use it.

Inhale as relaxed as possible, breathing deeply in and out. Avoid breathing too fast (hyperventilation), as too much carbon dioxide is exhaled. This can narrow the blood vessels, which can lead to insufficient oxygen supply to your body. In addition, the pH value of the body shifts, which can cause over-excitability of the nervous system and muscles (for example, resulting in cramps).

In addition, inhaling various essential oils can irritate the bronchi. This can worsen respiratory problems or worsen symptoms of asthma or COPD. When choosing and using essential oils for inhalation, you should therefore always seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Especially with young children, pregnant women and chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma, COPD) you should consult a specialist before using essential oils.

Allergies to inhalation additives should always be ruled out before starting an inhalation.

What do I have to consider when inhaling?

Inhale correctly - this is how it works: When inhaling steam, make sure there is a sufficiently large distance between your face and the hot water so that you do not get burned.

Inhalation during pregnancy is also possible. However, you should avoid the following inhalation additives as they can trigger premature labor: eucalyptus, mint, sage, thyme, camphor and lavender. The same applies to certain drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Babies and toddlers should not inhale with hot steam, but with an inhaler. There are special inhalers for children that are smaller than those for adults. You can get such devices in the pharmacy. You can also buy a suitable inhaler for babies there. Babies can use it to inhale safely and effectively.

If you experience pain, dizziness or discomfort while inhaling, you should stop inhaling immediately and consult a doctor.

Inhalation therapy as a remedy

In certain cases, the doctor can prescribe inhalation therapy as part of the medication regulation. It is then carried out in the doctor's office or with a suitably trained physical therapist. The patient inhales nebulized saline solutions or medication, which are distributed so finely with the help of special devices that they can penetrate into the alveoli.

How does inhalation therapy work?

Inhalation therapy primarily helps patients with respiratory problems and diseases. It serves to

moisten the airways,
make breathing easier
To loosen and liquefy bronchial secretions so that they can be coughed up better,
To loosen spasms in the bronchial muscles (spasmolysis),

Reduce inflammation,
To reduce swelling of the bronchial membranes and
Combat pathogens causing respiratory infections.

When can inhalation therapy be used?

Typical diseases for which inhalation therapy can be prescribed as a remedy are:

acute bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis
acute pneumonia
Cystic fibrosis (cystic fibrosis)
bronchial asthma
Bronchiectasis (permanent bulging of the bronchi)
Pulmonary fibrosis (diseases with increasing conversion of lung tissue into connective tissue)
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

When is inhalation therapy prescribed as a remedy?

Inhalation therapy can be prescribed as a single treatment for acute symptoms. In the case of chronic illnesses, inhalation therapy can only be prescribed as a remedy in practice if the treatment cannot be carried out at home using the appropriate equipment.

Radon inhalation therapy for pain management

A special case of inhalation therapy is radon inhalation to relieve pain and inflammation. The patient inhales the radioactive noble gas in low doses during a stay in a healing cave. According to studies, the radiation can apparently stimulate the regeneration of cells, stimulate the release of pain-relieving hormones and increase the production of radical scavengers.

Even in the long term, patients should need fewer painkillers and other medications after a cure in the Heilstollen. Definitive proof of the effectiveness is still pending. Therefore, radon inhalation therapy is not listed in the catalog of prescription remedies.

Radon inhalation is used for: