Inhalation - Why inhale?

Inhalation is a particularly effective therapy for treating diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. The great advantage of inhalation therapy is the efficient and targeted administration of the medication. This means that the medication or active ingredient reaches the site of the disease in a targeted manner and can develop its effect effectively there. Through this direct local effect, the drug concentration, i.e. the drug dose, can be reduced. This minimises the side effects and the systemic effect of the inhalant is very low and hardly needs to be metabolized by the liver.

Inhalation with saline solution (NaCl)

Inhalation with saline solution (NaCl) moistens the airways, has an expectorant effect and prevents acute infections of the airways. Inhalation of sodium chloride 0.9% (NaCl) is effective against cold symptoms such as coughs and colds. It can be used to treat the upper airways, e.g. sinusitis, or the lower airways, e.g. bronchitis.

Inhalation of medication

Inhalation of medication is the most common form of therapy for people with chronic respiratory diseases. People with cystic fibrosis, asthma or COPD inhale e.g. anti-inflammatory cortisone (glucocorticoids) or drugs to dilate the bronchi. Especially bronchial dilating medications can be vital for those affected in emergency situations with shortness of breath.