They help make phlegm more fluid, speed up its expectoration. Also, various medicinal products (both medications and herbs), included in their composition, help to improve the condition of the bronchi, expand them, have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Inhalations are recommended for acute bronchitis and for chronic exacerbations.
Methods of inhalation
- With the help of a special inhaler (there are steam or ultrasonic inhalers).
- Using a paper funnel, put on a teapot with an inhalation solution.
- Above the container (pan, deep bowl) with mortar, covered with a blanket or a thick towel.
The latter method is not recommended if the patient has a fever. The most effective in obstructive bronchitis are procedures with an ultrasonic inhaler.
In addition to these methods, there are "cold" inhalations, consisting in inhalation of volatile substances released by the juice of onions, garlic, horseradish. In acute bronchitis treatment is usually 6-8 days, with a chronic disease can be expanded to 15-20.
Types of inhalation
- Inhalations with medicinal products. For treatment, solutions of furacilin, chlorophyllipt, rivanol are used. When using furatsilina apply a ready solution of 0.024%, 4-5 ml for each inhalation 2 times a day. To prepare a solution for inhalation with chlorophyllite, 1% alcohol solution is used, which is diluted 1: 10 with saline solution. For one inhalation use about 3 ml of solution 3 times a day. Rivanol - 15-20 drops per glass of warm water.
- Inhalations with soda. Alkaline inhalation is effective in bronchitis. To do this, dilute ½ teaspoon of soda to a glass of warm water. If necessary, the soda solution can be replaced with alkaline mineral water (Essentuki, Narzan, Borjomi). Carried out inhalation twice a day.
- Inhalations in saline solution. It is believed that saline in inhalation has a greater therapeutic effect than just water. It is used in steam inhalations, in pure form, with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs and essential oils, as well as for the cultivation of medicinal herbs in apparatus inhalations. This method is especially effective in chronic bronchitis.
- Inhalations with essential oils. In bronchitis, essential oils of berries and needles of juniper, eucalyptus, cedar of Atlas and Himalayan, pine, peppermint are most useful. Any of these oils, alone or in a mixture, can be added at a rate of up to 5 drops per glass of water.
- Inhalations on herbs. Mix eucalyptus leaves, medicinal sage, mother-and-stepmother, pine buds, chamomile and oregano in equal proportions. 1 tablespoon of the collection put in a container for inhalation and pour hot water (250 ml). The second collection is made from raspberry leaves, medicinal sage and peppermint by the same scheme. The third variant of inhalation with herbs is 1 teaspoon fennel seeds per glass of water. Also effective are the juices of Kalanchoe (diluted in water or saline in a ratio of 1: 5), onion and garlic (diluted in a ratio of 1:30).
- With chronic bronchitis, garlic inhalations are good. For this, 6 cloves of chopped garlic and a teaspoon of soda are added to 0.5 liters of boiling water.
The procedure lasts 5-7 minutes, after which it is necessary to lie for at least an hour. - In chronic bronchitis, special medicinal aerosols are used, intended for injection with a special inhaler. These drugs include berotek, salbutamol, ventolin.
Conduct any inhalation preferably at least an hour before meals or an hour after. Breathing during the procedure should be deep and measured. Immediately after inhalation, it is better to sit quietly for a while and in any case not to allow sudden changes in temperature - do not open the windows and do not go out.