Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition characterized by airflow obstruction, often caused by long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema and is a major global health concern.
Halotherapy, or salt cave therapy, involves inhaling salt-infused air and is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. For individuals with COPD, halotherapy may help reduce airway inflammation, promote mucus clearance, and improve lung function. Salt cave therapy is a natural, non-invasive therapy and shows promise as a complementary approach to managing COPD symptoms and enhancing overall quality of life.
According to the COPD Foundation, COPD affects an estimated 24 million individuals in the U.S., and over half of them have symptoms of COPD and do not know it. Early screening can identify COPD before major loss of lung function occurs. -
Salt cleanses the respiratory system and speeds up the elimination of toxins. Salt is known to have the following properties:
-
Antibacterial
-
Anti-inflammatory
-
Loosens excessive mucus and speeds up mucociliary transport
-
Removes pathogens (ie., airborne pollen)
-
Reduces IgE level (immune system oversensitivity)
In a salt cave session, pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride is crushed into miniscule particles and released into the air for participants to breathe. Additionally some persons suffering from COPD who do a halotherapy course of treatment anecdotally report:
-
Reduction in the need for inhalers, steroids and antibiotics
-
Breathing iseasier after just a few sessions
-
Improved lung function
-
Reduction in the number of hospital admissions
-
Alleviates sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath
-
Clears mucus and sticky phlegm from the lungs
-
Increase the resistance to respiratory tract diseases
-
Strengthens the immune system
-
Prolonged remission times
Halotherapy or Salt Therapy is an alternative treatment for COPD in Eastern Europe
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation associated dyspnea and impaired quality of life. Halo therapy has been suggested to relieve respiratory discomfort in patients with COPD.
Aim: The aim of this study was to study the effect of halo therapy and isotonic saline inhalation, compared to controls, in COPD patients.
Material and methods: In this pilot cohort study 67 patients with COPD, GOLD stage 3 and 4, were included. Patients were assigned to 3 different groups; group 1 receiving 20 sessions of 45 minutes halo therapy with dry aerosols of salt less than 5 μm over 5 weeks, group 2 inhaling 5 ml isotonic Saline over 5 minutes, 5 weeks, 3 times per day and group 3 as controls. Spirometry, 6 minute walking test, dyspnea-score (MRC) and Quality-of-life (SGRQ) score was investigated at inclusion and at termination of the study.
Results: Group 1 improved walking distance 75 meters (p<0.01), SGRQ -6.66 points (p<0.05) and FEV1 0.4liters (2%), (p>0.05), during the treatment period. Group 2 improved FEV1 0.7 litres (3%) (p<0.05) and walkingdistance 90 metres (p<0.01). There was a drop out of 28% (7/25) in this group due to discomfort. Group 3 reduced MRC 1 point (p<0.05) and FEV1 0.6 litres (2%) (p = 0.051) during the observation period.
Conclusion: Both Halotherapy and saline inhalation improved walking distance and FEV1 in patients. SGRQ improved in patients treated with halo therapy. Halo therapy appeared to be better tolerated than saline therapy.
Scientific Research on Halotherapy as a treatment for COPD
Optimization of pathogenetic therapy in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32731714/
Halotherapy relieves chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by alleviating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36618788/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27636922
The use of an artificial microclimate chamber in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9424823
Halotherapy in the combined treatment of chronic bronchitis patients.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10439712
Halotherapy for treatment of respiratory diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10161255
Effectiveness of Halotherapy of chronic bronchitis patients.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11197648
Effects of Halotherapy on free radical oxidation in patients with chronic bronchitis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11210350
Efficiency of controlled halotherapy in rehabilitation of patients with occupational lung diseases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30351691/
CASE STUDY
In 2011 The Salt Cave Company of the United KIngdom was invited by the National Health Service to participate in a pilot project, as part of the Personal Health Budget program, to provide therapy for a COPD sufferer, called Clara Buffong. The NHS paid for her treatment and they monitored her for over a year.
Clara Buffong, who took part in the project and explains:
“The Salt Cave changed my life. Before I visited the Salt Cave I was on lots of antibiotics and steroids, none of which made me feel much better. I was basically confined to my house, and hated to be around people as my breathing was so noisy. However, this has now changed thanks to salt therapy. I know I will never get completely better, but the Salt Cave lets me live again and manage my illness in a way that I can enjoy my life again. When I walk out of the Salt Cave I feel high on life. I call it my heaven on earth. If salt therapy can work for me it can work for anybody, so I urge all COPD sufferers to give it a go”
Source: http://saltcave.co.uk/adults/#salt-therapy-can-significantly-help-to