Guide
Guide
The winter season not only brings frosty temperatures, but also coughs, colds and hoarseness. Anyone who has not been spared during the cold season can find relief with a tried and tested method: inhalation. Whether you have a blocked nose or a tickly cough, inhalation moistens the airways and helps the body to fight the cold.
When we have a cold, we often struggle with a runny nose and cough. What sounds unpleasant is actually a natural protective mechanism of the body: the nasal mucous membranes swell and produce secretions that flush out the viruses. A productive cough helps in a similar way by clearing mucus and viruses from the lungs. Inhalation supports this process and can specifically alleviate the symptoms of a cold.
Inhalation therapy moistens the mucous membranes, loosens stuck mucus and thus clears the airways. When used correctly, this beneficial therapy not only provides relief for chronic long-term illnesses such as asthma or COPD, but is also an effective, extremely efficient and gentle method of fighting infections in the respiratory tract and supporting the body in its work.
The classic steam bath over a pot is a popular method, but its impact is limited. The steam only reaches the upper throat area and not the lower respiratory tract, where many cold infections are located. The hot water poses a risk for children in particular: scalding can happen quickly and the hot steam can even be harmful if you have skin or circulatory problems.
The hot steam inhalation method described above poses risks for children in particular, but also for adults.
There are three main reasons why we do not recommend inhaling with hot steam:
When we talk about inhalation and value it as a helpful method and beneficial therapy, we mean inhalation with a so-called “nebulizer”. There are two types of nebulizer: Compressor or ultrasonic nebulizers.
A compressor nebulizer works, as the name suggests, with the help of a compressor. This generates compressed air, which is fed into the nebulizer via a hose. This contains an active ingredient solution, which is atomized into very fine droplets by the incoming compressed air. This type of compressed air or compressor nebulizer is the most common inhalation system.
In ultrasonic nebulizers, a quartz module is set in vibration by a current pulse, which generates high frequencies (1.7 MHz), which in turn transform liquids inside the nebulizer chamber into the finest mist. This method is mostly used in hospitals and spa clinics. It is quiet and long-term use is also possible.
Inhalation devices of both types produce very fine aerosol droplets that transport the active ingredient directly to the site of the illness.
These methods not only work faster than tablets or drops for deep-seated infections, but are also gentle on the digestive tract. At the same time, there are fewer side effects and the medication can be administered in lower doses.
For daily inhalation therapy at home for conditions such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis or coughs, we recommend our AirForce One compressor nebulizer. Thanks to its quiet operation and extensive range of accessories, it is particularly family-friendly and suitable for both children and adults.
But we also have a recommendation for those on the go: the AirForce Mini compressor nebulizer is a practical, portable companion for reliable aerosol therapy whenever and wherever it is needed. Its compact, lightweight design and powerful rechargeable battery make it ideal for mobile use - whether in the office, at school or on the go.
Both devices can be used by children, teenagers and adults, although the AirForce Mini is particularly popular with younger children as it has a low operating volume.
A suitable inhalation solution is required for the use of aerosol therapy. Plain water should not be inhaled with a nebulizer. Doctors recommend a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, especially for respiratory problems.
You can theoretically prepare a saline solution yourself - there are countless recipes on the internet - but there is a risk of germs forming and the mixing ratio is not exactly maintained. We therefore recommend using a saline solution from a pharmacy. This is hygienically produced and offers the security of an exact mixing ratio.
If additional medication is to be added, please discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Inhalation with a nebulizer is as easy as winking. Breathing technique and the position in which you inhale are decisive for effectiveness. If possible, the following factors should be taken into consideration:
adopt an upright, sitting or standing position
enclose the mouthpiece with your lips or place the mask so that your mouth and nose are well enclosed
Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouth
hold your breath for a few seconds so that the medication has enough time to take full effect
exhale slowly through the mouthpiece or mask
Repeat this until the inhalation solution has been used up. However, the inhalation process should not take longer than 20 minutes.
Regularly inhaling a 0.9 per cent saline solution has a beneficial effect on the mucous membranes. The salt contained in it not only has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, but also stimulates the formation of fluid in the airways, moistening the mucous membranes and dissolving stuck mucus. Free airways and moving mucus in the lungs make the body less vulnerable to external influences. Even without the addition of medication, inhalation is beneficial for your mucous membranes and gets you through the cold season.
Even without the addition of medication, inhalation is beneficial for your mucous membranes and gets you through the cold season.
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