Steam inhalation is popular for its many benefits. This technique has been used over centuries as it is one of the easiest ways to open your nasal passage and to reduce the symptoms of the cold and flu, according to experts from shalamar hospital.
The other name of steam inhalation is steam therapy which is beneficial for your health. When a person breathes in, it makes the mucus thin and water vapor keeps the nasal passage moist. People who feel uncomfortable due to the block congestion should go for steam therapy as it reduces the signs of swollen blood vessels and inflammation in your nasal passages.
If you think that steam inhalation is the cure of the infection, you are wrong. Infections like cold and flu are not cured with steam inhalation but this technique helps to reduce the symptoms.
You feel better with some home remedies that relieve the symptoms of the infections.
Let’s learn about the benefits of steam inhalation and how it does help your body to fight off different infections.
Benefits of the steam therapy
When sinuses occur, it develops inflammation in the blood vessels that result in a stuffy nose. You feel irritation in the blood vessels due to the acute upper respiratory infection, including cold, and sinus infection.
Such irritation in your swollen blood vessels can lead to discomfort and may interfere with your regular activities. When you breathe in the moist and warm air, it eases the irritation in your blood vessels and also helps to make the mucus thin. When your nose develops thin mucus, it helps your nasal passages to relieve the mucus which blocks nasal passages.
Sinus infection often makes it hard to breathe normally but steam therapy can give you a chance to return to a normal breathing process, not for a long time but for a short period of time.
People who are suffering from the flu, the common cold, bronchitis, nasal allergies, and the common cold are should go with steam inhalation as it reduces the symptoms and provides temporary relief.
Some people think that steam therapy works to increase the recovery process but experts clear the air with the saying that steam inhalation only reduces the symptoms.
This method does not deal with the virus directly but makes you feel better and allows your body to fight the cold.
Different studies reveal the different facts like sometimes steam therapy reduces the symptoms of the cold in a few people while others do not feel any difference. Another study also claims that a few people also experience irritation inside the nose from steam therapy.
Chronic sinus infection is also a severe condition that comes with headaches and other signs. For such conditions, the steam inhalation was not that beneficial for the majority of cases.
But still, researchers claim that steam inhalation deals with a few symptoms, such as:
- Headache
- Throat irritation
- Cough
- Breathing problems
- Block congestion
- Stuffy nose
- Irritated nasal passage
But before you start steam therapy, you must learn about how to take steam inhalation without hurting yourself.
What Do You Need To Perform Steam Inhalation?
- Water
- Large bowl
- Towel
- A pot for heating up water
How to perform the process?
Once you have the material for the steam inhalation process, heat up the water to boiling. Pour the warm water carefully into the bowl. Avoid the use of hot water but doctors suggest considering warm water for the inhaling process.
The next step involves covering the back of the head with the towel and turning on a timer. Make sure that you close your eyes and lower your head toward the warm water bowl. Avoid making direct contact with steam and inhale the steam slowly and deeply through your nose for at least 2-5 minutes.
Wrapping Up
To clear up your nasal, steam inhalation is the best home remedy you need when you are sick with a cold and flu. This technique reduces the symptoms but does not cure the infection.
