National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week

I would venture to say that we’ve all had trouble breathing at some point in our lives. Maybe it was that nasty flu you had three winters ago. Maybe you were a victim of a house fire and took in too much smoke. Maybe you were born with cystic fibrosis and struggle with thick mucus obstructing your lung passages. Whatever the situation, it’s scary when you can’t breathe. Our ability to inhale air and carry out effective gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide is the fundamental process for life.

Next week, March 12th – 18th, is designated National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Any condition that affects the respiratory system can have profound implications for a person’s quality of life. It takes a dedicated team of compassionate healthcare providers to assist people with chronic respiratory conditions. This is a great time to express gratitude for the many people that work in pulmonary rehabilitation.

According to the American Lung Association, some 34 million plus Americans live with a chronic lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, and asthma. Much of this disease is caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. Tobacco smoking and air pollution are major contributors to COPD, asthma, and lung cancer. Much of the standard treatment for these conditions includes the use of pharmaceuticals, surgeries, and continuous oxygen.

In addition to the standard medical treatments described above, perhaps consider a drug-free and non-invasive option like halotherapy. Halotherapy, or salt inhalation therapy, has been studied and used in Europe and other parts of the world for decades. It is not a new concept. It’s just new to Americans. There are thousands of people worldwide that can attest to the positive benefits they’ve received from salting. Even professional athletes are starting to incorporate salt therapy into their health routines.

So, how does breathing salt actually help respiratory conditions? The micron-sized particles of sodium chloride (salt) float through the air and penetrate deep within the respiratory passages. The salt acts to absorb moisture and pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This process begins to thin out mucus secretions and makes it easier to cough up and clear out of the lungs. In addition, salt has anti-inflammatory properties and will work to reduce any inflamed respiratory tissues, contributing to a less constricted airway.

As next week comes along, take some time to consider your own respiratory health. If you have a chronic condition like COPD, asthma, allergies, cystic fibrosis, or general congestion, consider trying a salt therapy session. You may be surprised to find some relief in symptoms after just one, 10-minute salt session. You can book an appointment on our website, or feel free to call. Take care of those lungs!

Be safe and stay well,