Cystic Fibrosis: Can Salt Therapy Help?
Does Salt Therapy Help with Cystic Fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder characterized by consistent lung infections and breathing restrictions over time. In patients with this disease, a defective gene causes the buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other body organs. In the lungs, the accumulated mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria causing extensive lung damage, infections, and ultimately respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the buildup of mucus prevents the release of harsh digestive enzymes that help in breaking down food and absorption of vital nutrients. Salt therapy can be helpful for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.
Salt therapy is now a popular treatment modality for helping patients with cystic fibrosis. According to scientific reports, salt therapy can help bring relief from symptoms and even prevent frequent recurring symptoms. Incorporating halotherapy into your cystic fibrosis treatment regimen can help significantly alleviate discomfort and symptoms. Read on to know about the benefits of salt therapy for cystic fibrosis.
How Salt Therapy Helps Patients With Cystic Fibrosis
Although salt therapy can be beneficial to everyone, it can be quite useful for patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. Salt therapy creates an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect, and it also has hydrophilic, mucokinetic, and bactericide properties. Patients can benefit from salt therapy in different ways.
Helps with Breathing
Breathing difficulty is one of the major symptoms of cystic fibrosis as it’s caused by a lining of thick mucus along the respiratory tract. Salt therapy sessions will break down thickened mucus in the respiratory tract, widen the air passages, unclog blockages in the bronchi or bronchioles, accelerate mucus transport, and eliminate foreign allergens and residual tar. Salt therapy can also help reduce inflammation and absorb edema from the mucosa linings in the respiratory tract. As a result, the patient can breathe with ease.
Eliminates Infections
In addition, patients with cystic fibrosis can also experience regular chest and lung infections. Since salt therapy helps with breathing by clearing up the air passages, it can also decrease the number of infections the patient experiences. Salt is an antibacterial agent, which means that infections are caught and fought off early on. Salt therapy helps clean and eliminate the build-up of foreign materials that cause different respiratory conditions and ailments.
Additional Benefits
With continuous treatment, salt therapy can help strengthen the immunities of patients translating to fewer infection rates. In addition, patients can reduce their dependence on prescribed medications, frequency of attacks, and the rate of hospital visits with regular salt therapy sessions.
How is Salt Therapy Offered?
Halotherapy or salt therapy is an all-natural treatment solution that can help alleviate many respiratory symptoms and skin conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. It can also boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and boost overall wellness. The best thing about salt therapy is that it has been researched for years and proven to be a safe treatment option and can complement other medical treatments to produce excellent and sustainable results.
During a salt therapy session, pure, dry salt is heated and then ground into very tiny micro-particles using a halogenerator. The dry aerosolized salt particles are then dispersed into salt therapy rooms during a normal session. As the individual relaxes in a salt therapy room, he/she will inhale the salt micro-particles. These salt particles will then penetrate deep into the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and lungs. Inhaled salt particles will then absorb any irritants, including toxins and allergens from the respiratory systems.
The non-inhaled particles will fall on the skin and help alleviate any dermatological conditions by absorbing bacteria or impurities responsible for the skin conditions. Most halotherapy sessions will last for about 30 to 45 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic condition that can significantly affect an individual’s life. Luckily, modern medical treatment and research have provided patients with different options for managing symptoms, even though there is no cure for the disease. While different medical options have proven helpful, natural options like salt therapy are perfect alternatives for patients that want to manage their condition using more conservative treatment modalities. Salt therapy is based on practices that were used hundreds of years ago, and it combines natural minerals with a relaxing and calming environment to offer patients an effective remedy that can reduce stress, fight infection, and offer significant relief from respiratory problems associated with cystic fibrosis.