For quick treatment of dry and wet cough attacks, doctors advise inhalation. Steam inhalation for coughing, as well as cold inhalation are very effective therapeutic methods. Their effectiveness can be easily explained by their lightning-fast healing effect. Unlike taking pills, the active substances bypass the gastrointestinal tract during this procedure, settle directly on the mucous membrane and immediately begin to act. Therefore, it is possible to cure a cough with inhalations after a couple of days of this therapy.
Types of procedures
Inhalation can be hot or cold, depending on the temperature of the active substances entering the oral and nasal cavity. In the case of cold inhalation, we are talking about inhaling a medicine that has room temperature. That is, there is no thermal effect on it. With hot inhalation, the drug heats up to 30 degrees Celsius and above.
If we take the mechanism of aerosol formation as the basis for the classification, then all procedures can be divided into steam and instrumental. For steam inhalation, the drug is diluted with water, which begins to actively evaporate during heating. As for instrumental procedures, they are performed using special devices (nebulizers, inhalers, and so on). Such devices independently divide the active substance into microscopic granules, which are deposited on the mucous membrane during inhalation.
At the moment, steam inhalation is most actively used, as well as procedures using portable nebulizers. The first option is well known to each of us since childhood. The patient inhales vapors of water heated in a saucepan with the medicine diluted in it.
When inhalation using a nebulizer, the concentrated volume of the active substance is formed in a different way. It is formed by the apparatus, breaking the solution into tiny particles for subsequent inhalation.
To prevent drug leakage, special nozzles are provided in nebulizers. They fit snugly around the mouth and nose and allow the medication to enter the respiratory tract without hindrance.
Indications and contraindications
Inhalation is considered justified and justified when:
bronchial asthma;- acute respiratory diseases;
- bronchitis;
- runny nose;
- various types of sinusitis;
- the final stage of pneumonia treatment;
- sore throat;
- fungal infection of the upper respiratory tract;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- prevention of complications of respiratory ailments and so on.
bronchial asthma;Inhalation also has contraindications. First of all, it must be said about the increased body temperature. If it exceeds 37.5 degrees, procedures are strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the fever may increase with all the ensuing consequences.
In addition, inhalations are prohibited in case of hemoptysis, the formation of purulent sputum, individual drug intolerance, arrhythmias.
Inhalation should not be used for such cardiovascular pathologies:
- hypertension;
- heart failure;
- recent heart attack;
- stroke;
- cerebral atherosclerosis;
- cerebral circulation disorders and similar conditions.
Pay attention to the presence of diseases of the respiratory system - emphysema, respiratory failure of the third degree, pneumothorax. If at least one of the above pathologies is found in a patient, then it is impossible to be treated with such procedures.
Inhalation base
What to do with cough inhalation? At the moment, there is a wide range of drugs, natural and artificial substances, which will help to heal a debilitating, intense cough in a patient. The most effective are the medicines listed below:
- Fluimucil and ACC Inject well dilute and remove mucus from the respiratory tract. The active substance of such drugs is acetylcysteine. It goes well with taking "Paracetamol", since it significantly reduces its negative effect on the liver.
Medicinal herbs are also actively used for inhalation of coughs. The most popular are coltsfoot, eucalyptus, St. John's wort, chamomile, sage, fresh raspberry leaves, peppermint and so on. All of these medicinal plants have a combined effect on the body - mucolytic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant. The raw materials are poured with hot water and infused for at least 30 minutes, after which the broth is placed in a saucepan (or in any other container) and its steam is inhaled for no more than 15 minutes.- Traditionally, inhalation with saline for coughing is highly popular. The procedure is equally effective and safe for the treatment of both children and adults. Saline helps moisturize the mucous membrane, reduce the intensity of inflammation. In addition, it liquefies thick phlegm well and quickly evacuates it. You need to buy such a remedy in a pharmacy and inhale it through a nebulizer, since steam inhalation based on saline is ineffective.
- Inhalation with alkaline mineral water has proved to be excellent. Onor are they especially useful in the elimination of bronchitis, at the end of the treatment of pneumonia, as well as similar pathologies. Alkaline mineral water not only makes the phlegm less thick, but also moisturizes the mucous membrane. For these purposes, the following original waters are actively used: "Narzan", "Borjomi", "Essentuki-17" and so on. Four inhalations are enough per day.
Medicinal herbs are also actively used for inhalation of coughs. The most popular are coltsfoot, eucalyptus, St. John's wort, chamomile, sage, fresh raspberry leaves, peppermint and so on. All of these medicinal plants have a combined effect on the body - mucolytic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant. The raw materials are poured with hot water and infused for at least 30 minutes, after which the broth is placed in a saucepan (or in any other container) and its steam is inhaled for no more than 15 minutes.Medicines for mucosal inflammation
According to doctors, homeopathic-type preparations - "Rotokan", "Malavit", "Tonsilgon N", cope best with the task at hand. Such funds are effective in the treatment of colds, flu and some other ailments of the middle and upper respiratory tract. In addition, to reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process, you can make a solution for inhalations from coughs based on chamomile, calendula or propolis.
"Malavit" is a biologically active alcoholic tincture for inhalation. It contains plant and mineral components that eliminate pain in the throat and relieve inflammation of the nasopharynx. No more than 4 inhalations are done per day. For one procedure, 3-4 ml of the drug is enough.- Tonsilgon N is prescribed for the treatment of pharyngitis, tonsillitis and laryngitis. It is also a homeopathic medicine based on chamomile, walnut leaves, dandelion, marshmallow root and some other ingredients. One inhalation session requires the use of 4 ml of the product.
- Phytopreparations with propolis should be used carefully, since quite often patients are allergic to it. If it is not there, then such a basis for inhalation is used in the treatment of a wide range of respiratory diseases. Propolis perfectly eliminates inflammation and sore throat, has an antiseptic and regenerating effect.
"Malavit" is a biologically active alcoholic tincture for inhalation. It contains plant and mineral components that eliminate pain in the throat and relieve inflammation of the nasopharynx. No more than 4 inhalations are done per day. For one procedure, 3-4 ml of the drug is enough.Antibiotics and antiseptics for inhalation
You can buy ready-made disinfecting solutions at any pharmacy. But if you wish, it is not difficult to make them at home on the basis of Miramistin, Furacilin, Dioxidin and other means. If you prefer Furacilin, dilute one tablet in 100 ml of water. As a result, an effective solution is obtained that disinfects the mucous membrane and protects the lower lung regions from the penetration of pathogenic microflora. You need to do 2-3 procedures per day.
If respiratory diseases are caused by staphylococci, look for eucalyptus-based inhalation.When the leaves of such a plant are not available, use Chlorophyllipt, a 1% alcohol setting. Treatments using eucalyptus have a positive effect on the lungs, but are prohibited for asthma and bronchial spasms.
Inhalation of active substances "Gentamicin" allows you to quickly get rid of infectious foci concentrated in the upper respiratory tract. "Dioxidin" is a versatile broad-spectrum drug. It copes well with many types of pathogenic microflora that affect the respiratory system.
In addition, pay attention to "Fluimucil-antibiotic" - a medicinal inhalation base for:
- fight against pathogenic microbes;
- dilution of sputum;
- productive coughing up mucus.
Procedure rules
All inhalations (based on saline, hot steam, mineral water, etc.) must be performed in a specific manner. Hardware procedures using a nebulizer should be carried out only in a sitting position. This recommendation also applies to hot steam inhalation. Refrain from talking during this procedure.
Doctors advise using only fresh (with an adequate shelf life) inhalation preparations. The package with the solution is opened a few minutes before the start of the procedure and stored in the refrigerator sealed for no more than 14 days.
What should I use to dissolve the medication before inhaling it through a nebulizer? Prefer sterile saline or distilled water. Even if you filter tap water many times, it still won't work as a solvent. This also applies to boiled running water.
When treating with inhalation of laryngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis and some other ailments of the upper respiratory tract, breathe deeply and slowly through your mouth. If you are treating a cough (with bronchitis or pneumonia), hold the air for a couple of seconds after inhaling the active substance. Then exhale gradually through your nose. In the process of getting rid of diseases of the paranasal sinuses, breathe through your nose easily and without much strain.
Inhalation should last no more than 15 minutes. You need to use this therapeutic method one hour before or after a meal. The final stage of the procedure is rinsing the nasal and oral cavity with clean water. After inhalation, antiseptic solutions should not be used for rinsing.
For the drug to have an effective effect on the mucous membrane, refrain from smoking for at least 60 minutes.
If the doctor has prescribed complex inhalations, it is necessary to find out the correct sequence for using the drugs. First, active substances are inhaled to expand the bronchi - bronchodilators. Wait 20 minutes and start inhaling expectorants and mucolytics. After discharge, along with the cough of sputum, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic drugs can be used.
Of course, inhalation is not a panacea for all ills. Yes, it treats various types of cough well, but it should always act as a component of comprehensive therapy. In other words, its use will be more effective in combination with other drugs. And, of course, before starting the procedures, be sure to consult with your doctor.
