Inhalation is the deliberate inhalation of aerosols, gaseous agents, or hot water vapor. The process can take place with pure water, chamomile, table salt, eucalyptus oil or other healing herbs or essential oils. This cleanses the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and strengthens the overall blood circulation. Inhalation is always used when respiratory diseases need to be treated specifically. Likewise, in anesthesia, it is a component of pain relief and anesthesia.
What is inhalation?
Inhalation is the deliberate inhalation of aerosols, gaseous agents, or hot water vapor. Inhalation is used whenever respiratory diseases specifically need to be treated. The inhalation of active substances or water dates back to ancient times as a therapeutic application. The healing effect in the salty sea air was already known to the ancient Greeks, who observed a relief of respiratory diseases. Modern therapy by inhalation began in 1956. The first propellant-gas-powered devices were developed and appeared on the market at that time, until the first dry powder inhaler became popular in 1971. However, since the inhalers still used CFCs, which was then banned throughout the EU in 1989, alternative solutions had to be found. The spectrum of new inhalation devices was broad and quickly offered multiple ways to treat various diseases and ailments more intensively and at the same time more gently.
Function, effect and goals
Nowadays, inhalation takes place by means of two different procedures. Firstly, the respiratory mucous membranes are moistened, and secondly, a drug is administered via inhalation. The latter in particular is a valuable asset in the treatment of, for example, chronic lung diseases. Inhalation by moistening the respiratory mucosa results in the gradual loosening of mucus and the coughing up of secretions. The lungs have their own cleansing function, which is supported by the inhalation process. Saline solutions corresponding to the body’s own concentration are used for this purpose. To penetrate deeper into the lower respiratory tract, there are various inhalation systems such as nebulizers. An important component of such treatment is aerosol therapy. Here, liquids, especially saline solutions, are atomized and inhaled deeply through the mouth or nose. Aerosols are produced by electric steam or ultrasonic nebulizers or also via a compressed air atomizer, so that large particles can be atomized in a very short time. Especially when the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is under attack, the form of such therapy achieves considerable improvement, while also supporting self-healing and acting preventively against new respiratory diseases. An ultrasonic nebulizer is a device that produces fine water mist. For this purpose, electrical vibrations are converted into mechanical ones and transferred to the water to be inhaled. This creates tiny droplets that not only reach the nose, throat, mouth and mucous membranes, but also allow deep penetration into the respiratory tract to the trachea and bronchi. Another type of inhalation is the partial steam bath, preferably used in case of rhinitis, inflammation of the throat, mouth and sinuses. In the same way it is possible to fight skin impurities or moisten a dry nose. This in turn causes a more intensive cleaning of all dirt, dust and pollen. To loosen mucus, water vapor is inhaled over a pot or bowl, which reaches the upper respiratory tract in particulate form and leads to an improvement in the symptoms present there. However, the water should not be boiling hot. A temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius is quite sufficient. To support the inhalation, salts or essential oils are added, but only for inhalations that are not carried out via inhalation devices, as the nozzles can become clogged with these. Since both moisture and heat have their effect, a towel placed over the head is helpful during inhalation so that less steam escapes in this way. Also, it is not important to breathe particularly deeply over the steam, but rather regularly, while maintaining a safe distance so as not to burn yourself. An alternative to the pot is the steam inhaler. In this, the water vapor is absorbed through a mask over the nose and mouth.The efficiency is also limited only to these areas, so the face itself, including eyes and ears are not affected.
Risks, side effects and dangers
In a medicated inhalation, a distinction is made between short-acting and long-acting respiratory dilating drugs. The absorption of the active ingredients depends on the properties of solubility and particle size of the substances to be inhaled. The effect of such inhalation is better penetration of the drugs into the diseased areas. On the one hand, this results in a faster effect of the drug, and on the other hand, it requires a smaller amount of drug than, for example, when taking a tablet. This in turn means that the side effects are also kept within limits and the body and organs are not subjected to as much strain. Such drugs that are inhaled include cortisone, various antibiotics and beta-2 sympathomimetics. The process of inhalation uses the natural breathing process to deliver the active substance to the airways and respiratory mucosa. Both solid and liquid drugs are inhaled through fine particles or droplets and can develop their effect. Inhalation is particularly useful for respiratory tract ailments, asthma and cough, sinusitis and rhinitis, helps with eye ailments, various skin diseases, circulatory problems or very low blood pressure. Likewise, inhalation can loosen mucus caused by diseases such as acute bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis or COPD. For such conditions, antibiotic inhalations are an appropriate measure and must be performed as continuous inhalations.
