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Health

Inhalation for colds: how to do recipes

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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With a cold, one way or another, faced each of us. This disease, which is fairly easy to spread from one person to another. He is subject to both children, adults, and elderly people. All the fault is a virus that penetrates the human respiratory tract and triggers a pathological process. Disease delivers weakness, discomfort to a person, makes it for some time disabled. Getting rid of a cold sometimes is not easy. Doctors try to prescribe a comprehensive treatment consisting of medicines, physiotherapy procedures. Very good effect of inhalation for colds.

Whether it is possible to do inhalations at cold?

Inhalation should be carried out immediately, as soon as you feel that you are ill. This will stop the further progression of the disease, prevent a number of complications, ease the state of health. Especially effective are inhalations with a cold and easy nasal congestion, since they make it possible to relieve the condition.

Indications for the procedure

Assign for viral, bacterial diseases affecting the respiratory system (its upper and lower divisions). Indication is cough, runny nose, perspiration, burning, sore throat, sneezing. Especially necessary procedures for prolonged illness, when the usual treatment does not help. Indispensable for the purpose of restoration, normalization of microflora, removal of allergic edema, hyperemia.

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Preparation

Inhalation does not require special preparation. It is required to pre-prepare the drug to be used. Also it is advisable not to use the food for 30-60 minutes before the procedure.

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Technique of the inhalation for colds

Inhalations can be conducted both in conditions of inpatient and hospital treatment, using special equipment. Work with him can only a specialist who has been specially trained (physio-physiotherapist).

There are also several ways to do the procedure at home.

To conduct steam inhalation, you need to take a few tablespoons of herbs, pour it with boiling water. Brew a few minutes, then pour into a wide basin. Lean over the pelvis, cover the top with a clean towel. We begin to inhale incoming steam through the nose, and exhale through the mouth. Inhalation is carried out for 10-15 minutes, after which you need to quickly go to bed and cover yourself with a warm blanket. You can drink a decoction before bedtime, or hot tea with honey and lemon (lying in bed, under the blanket).

For the preparation of inhalations by a nebulizer, a solution of the drug is first prepared in accordance with the instructions. Then a special mask is put on the face, which is included in the kit. A person begins to breathe solution through this mask. The procedure is performed up to 10 minutes, after which it is advisable to lie down for a rest.

What inhalations can I do for a cold?

With a cold, you can do various procedures, at normal temperature, steam inhalations help well. As a basis take vegetable decoctions, which help to quickly remove the signs of cold, prevent the further development of inflammation. You can use one plant, or fees.

  • Recipe number 1. Chamomile pharmacy, linden flowers heart-shaped, peppermint leaves brewed in a ratio of 1: 2: 1.
  • Recipe number 2. Brewed in equal shares the flowers of linden and raspberry fruits. You can add honey.
  • Recipe number 3. Apply collection of licorice naked roots, linden flowers, althaea root, marjoram leaves in equal parts.
  • Recipe number 4. Apply collection of althea root, sage leaves, anise fruit, herbs of oregano, medicinal in a ratio of 1: 3: 2: 1.
  • Recipe number 5. With hard to separate sputum, prolonged wet cough, use a collection of eucalyptus, sage leaves and chamomile flowers in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. Such collection is also effective in the common cold, especially purulent, as eucalyptus acts as an antiseptic that destroys bacteria, and the remaining components have anti-inflammatory properties.

How to do inhalation for colds?

For carrying out inhalation for a cold, you need to choose the optimal method of carrying out. It is better to consult a doctor. Most often inhalations are carried out by a nebulizer and steam inhalations.

Inhalation nebulizer conducted with the use of drugs. Prescribe drugs, choose the dosage and treatment scheme should only the doctor. The patient remains to do everything as the doctor advised.

When carrying out steam inhalations, first make a decoction of vegetable, or a solution of salt. Then pour the prepared solution into the pelvis, bend over the pelvis, cover with a towel, breathe for 10-15 minutes.

Inhalation at the first sign of a cold

There are many formulations for inhalation. Below are the formulations of inhalations, the most effective at the early stages of the disease.

  • Recipe number 1. To prepare a steam broth, it will take black leaves of badana, the root of the Rhodiola, the root of the forgotten penny, leaves of cranberries and blueberries. These plants are taken in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1: 2.
  • Recipe number 2. Brews leaves of willow-tea, black currant and herb thyme in a ratio of 2: 1: 2.
  • Recipe number 3. Rhodiola rosea (root), stevia, nettle, root of lure in equal parts.
  • Recipe number 4. Rose hips, nettle leaves, hawthorn fruits in equal shares. For men, you can add the herb of St. John's wort, for women it is recommended to use peppermint.
  • Recipe number 5. Schisandra Chinese, grass swamp grass, horsetail field in equal shares. With increased anxiety, restlessness, disturbance of night sleep, it is recommended to add motherwort and / or valerian (roots).

Inhalation for colds at home

At home you can use inhalations prepared on the basis of sea salt, which helps to effectively eliminate edema, remove allergy signs. Such inhalations are used for the appearance of a cold with signs of allergy, with severe swelling and hyperemia of the nasal mucosa and pharynx, with a strong runny nose and increased lachrymation.

With severe inflammatory reactions, progression and severe course of the disease, inhalations are prescribed on the basis of medications. The most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, anti-allergic drugs. It is recommended to use a nebulizer for carrying out.

When signs of a viral, non-temperature course of the disease appear, as well as for recovery after a disease, vegetative broths for inhalations are used. To be selected depending on the goal that needs to be achieved. One plant, or a mixture thereof, can be used. A mixture of plants and fruits is often used. Use anti-inflammatory, sudorific, antiseptic herbs. With excessive excitability, nervousness in the broths add calming, sedatives.

Sometimes physiological saline is used, which helps to normalize the mucous membrane, to remove irritation and swelling, to cough, to relieve the condition with a prolonged dry cough.

Also use dry inhalation. This is the easiest way. For carrying out enough on the handkerchief, drip a few drops of essential oil, close the nose and mouth, breathe for 5-10 minutes. Oils are best used antiseptic, which destroy the pathogenic microflora, disinfect, normalize the microflora, kill viruses.

You can also perform salt inhalation. It's quite simple: for some time to breathe heated salt. Salt is better to use sea salt. The stores sell salt with the addition of various components, plant extracts. Well helps with colds salt with the addition of pine extract, lemon extract, seaweed.

Inhalation with a cold nebulizer

Today in medicine, a special device, the nebulizer, has been widely used. It ensures the formation of inhalable dispersed dust from the drug substance. Replaces physiotherapy. A simple and convenient method is enough.

The principle is to create a cold vapor inside the vial. Subsequently, it is sprayed with a compressor, like an aerosol. Particles of the substance easily penetrate into the inflamed areas, because they are small enough in size. The method is based on the principle of dispersion.

Usually, a different medication is used in the nebulizer. Allows you to fully control the ratio of medicinal components in solution. It is important that in this agent there are no solid and large particles that negatively affect the state of the respiratory tract. There are no essential oils that can cause allergies. Often, saline or mineral water (without gas) is used to prepare the inhalation solution.

It is necessary to remember: the ready solution can be stored no longer than 24 hours, since during prolonged storage the active components are neutralized. For one serving, an average of 2-5 ml of the drug is required, a temperature of about 20 degrees. Approximately 30 minutes before the procedure, you can not eat and drink. There are no contraindications even with hyperthermia, because dry steam is used.

This type of inhalation should be used cautiously, as it can cause side effects, allergies. It is often used for rhinitis, colds, fungi. It is a rescue for many children suffering from adenoids, a strong cough. It is also often prescribed for various disorders of the immune system, since the drug can effectively restore the mucosa and local immunity. Used to treat occupational diseases of chemists, miners, singers.

The technique is quite simple. First take a deep breath through the mouth. Breathe should be smooth and deep. Then the breath is held for 2-3 seconds, after which the breath is exhaled. This makes it possible to wash the mucous membranes, penetrate the larynx, and then into the deeper parts of the respiratory system. After the procedure, rinse your mouth with warm water.

Vegetable broths do not use, as they can spoil the nebulizer. Anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, antimicrobial agents, bronchodilators, expectorants and hormonal medications, immunomodulators are used.

Inhalation with cold saline

Possesses reducing properties. Softens, prevents the development of pathogenic flora, restores normal flora. Promotes self-healing and renewal, effective in irritation, perspiration and burning in the throat. Eliminates dry cough. Also this method is recommended for people with increased sensitivity, or with a tendency to allergic reactions, as it does not stimulate sensitization and allergization.

Inhalation in a bath with a cold

A mandatory condition for such procedures is the absence of temperature. Used long ago to restore health, as well as for the prevention and treatment of many diseases, especially viral and bacterial.

Increases immunity, endurance of the body, resistance to infectious diseases. Essentially improves the health of the body, increases hearing, perception, is a natural soothing, normalizes the hormonal background, balances, improves mood. Very useful and interesting can seem a Turkish bath (hamam). A man lies on a marble lounger, which is constantly heated. With a cold, special attention should be paid to massage the chest, lungs, apply special movements to stimulate sputum discharge. After passing directly to the inhalation: ask to take a comfortable position, cover your eyes and breathe deeply for 5-7 minutes. You need to take a deep breath, hold your breath, make a maximum exhalation.

The Finnish bath differs with dry air and low humidity. It is necessary to warm up in stages. During each warming, you need to perform inhalations. A deep breath is drawn through the nose. The air is delayed for a few seconds, after which the breath is exhaled through the mouth. It is recommended to spray anti-inflammatory, antiseptic oils.

The Russian bath differs in that the room is filled with moist air. It is necessary to steam for 10-15 minutes. First, within 5-6 minutes, gradually begins to emit sweat. Then, about 10-12 minutes, there is a profuse sweating. For a cold during hovering, it is recommended to breathe deeper. Before you go out, sit in a comfortable position with a flat back, relax. Take a few deep breathing movements. Repeat the procedure 3-5 times, exit the steam room.

It is recommended to steam for a cold three times. You can also use pure essential oils, and special infusions for the bath. They are added to the water, poured directly onto the stones, or sprayed in the air. Have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect, relieve pain, irritation, allergic reactions, improve the general condition of the body, well-being.

Inhalation for children with colds

Children are not recommended to perform steam inhalations. In the bath is also not recommended, because they have a significant burden on the body. The optimal option for children will be inhalation with the help of a nebulizer, as well as dry and salt inhalations.

For the nebulizer use different medications. They can be prescribed only by a doctor, since medications can have contraindications and numerous side effects. Vegetable broths for nebulizer do not apply.

You can use dry inhalation, for which the handkerchief is applied to the nose and mouth, before moistening it with essential oil. It is better to use antiseptic oils: lavender, anise, eucalyptus, fir, thuja, juniper.

For carrying out salt inhalations sea salt with particles of a large size is best suited. It is heated in a frying pan. After this, you can simply lean over the salt and inhale the vapors, or place it in a thin linen pouch, tie it and attach it to the nose and mouth. A few drops of essential oils can be added to the salt. Sometimes a bag of salt is placed in dry grass. It is better to use herbs that have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Inhalation in pregnancy for colds

Pregnant women should not use steam inhalations, since they create an additional burden on the heart. Applied only in case of emergency, if the disease progresses, and other methods are ineffective. It is better to use pregnant, dry, saline inhalations or use a nebulizer. Preliminary need to consult a doctor.

Contraindications to the procedure

Inhalation is contraindicated in cases of fever, with severe cardiovascular diseases. Steam inhalation is not recommended for children and pregnant women.

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Consequences after the procedure

Negative consequences often have no procedure. In rare cases, the load on the heart, the respiratory system may increase, which manifests itself in the form of rapid heart rate, respiratory rate, dyspnea appears. Blood pressure may rise, dizziness may appear.

If some components are intolerant, an allergic reaction may develop, the degree of which depends on the degree and severity of the immune response and the level of sensitization of the body. In mild cases, mild irritation, puffiness may develop, cold symptoms, cough may increase. It often develops a rash, itching, redness, irritation on the skin and mucous membranes. In severe cases, hives develop, swelling. The most severe form is anaphylactic shock, which is accompanied by loss of consciousness, a sharp drop in pressure.

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Complications after the procedure

The main complications are worsening of the condition, in which the cold progresses, sometimes descending along the descending airways into the bronchi, lungs, provoking bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy. A dangerous complication is considered an allergy, a violation of the heart, an increase in blood pressure.

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Care after the procedure

After the procedure, you should rest for 10-15 minutes. If the procedure was performed in a medical institution. You need to sit for 10-15 minutes, wrapped your throat, and if possible back, chest with a scarf, shawl or rug from any warm material. It is better to use woolen cloth. If there is a possibility, lie down, you need to lie down for a while.

When performing the procedure at home, you need to go to bed as quickly as possible, hiding behind a warm blanket. It is better to do the procedure for the night in order to immediately go to bed. You can drink before a glass of hot tea or milk with honey, or cocoa butter. 

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Inhalation for the prevention of colds

For the prevention of inhalation is not recommended, because this is a therapeutic procedure that exerts a therapeutic effect on the body during the illness. On a healthy body, it has a negative effect, creating an additional burden on the heart, lungs.

For prevention, you can visit the bath. It has a healing effect on the body as a whole, stimulates the immune system. It is a reliable means of preventing many diseases, including colds. Especially useful is a bath in combination with a massage.

It is important to observe the basic laws of visiting the bath, otherwise you can only harm the body. In the bath you can not enter after a heavy meal, with overwork. The bath is recommended in the absence of illness, and not in the midst of a cold. Then it will have a preventive and restorative effect, without creating unnecessary burden on the body. When overwork and in the acute phase of the disease, the bath can not be visited. It is also not recommended to visit the bath at elevated body temperature. With epilepsy, tuberculosis, the presence of neoplasms, as well as heart disease, hypertension, angina, you can not visit the bath. Not recommended for pregnant women, children under 3 years.

When you come to the bath, you need to take a warm shower, after which you can go to the steam room. It is better not to wet your head. Do not try to stay as long as possible in the steam room. If you feel hot and tired, immediately leave the steam room, take a cold or warm shower, wipe yourself with a towel. Then you need to sit. The time spent in the steam room is individual and depends on the state of the organism, health, air temperature, humidity. It is not recommended to stay in the steam room for more than 20-25 minutes. Visiting the bath is recommended not more than 1 time in 7-10 days.

Reviews

If you analyze the reviews of various inhalations, you can note that almost all of them are positive. Inhalations are an effective tool for the treatment and prevention of colds. Also often used for recovery in the period after the illness. They help to quickly overcome a cold, effectively relieve inflammation, eliminate cough, runny nose, stuffy nose.

Many types of inhalations help to fight with signs of allergies, relieve swelling, irritation. Inhalation with colds facilitates the condition with a dry, painful cough. Transfers unproductive forms of cough into productive coughs, which produce sputum, separation and excretion of it. As a result, the bronchi and the airways are cleared, recovery comes. It is more convenient for children to use a nebulizer. For many adults, it is also convenient. This method allows the use of drugs. For steam inhalations, many use vegetable decoctions and extracts.  

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