Halotherapy for bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is chronic damage and widening of the airways in which mucus is difficult to clear. As a result, bacteria, mucus and infections linger more easily in the lungs. Many people with bronchiectasis have daily coughing, stubborn mucus, tightness of the chest, fatigue and recurring lung infections.
At HaloClinic Nederland many visitors experience that halotherapy helps them loosen mucus more easily, breathe more freely and keep the airways cleaner.
HaloClinic Nederland has been among the first professional salt rooms in the Netherlands since 2011 and has been helping visitors with chronic airway and skin complaints for more than 15 years.
What is bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis is a permanent, abnormal widening of the bronchi (airways). In these widened airways mucus lingers more easily, giving bacteria a better chance to settle.
This can lead to:
- Chronic inflammation
- Recurring bronchitis
- Lung infections
- Pneumonia
- Build-up of mucus
- Damage to the airways
- Reduced lung function
Recurring infections can cause further damage to the walls of the airways. The tiny cilia, which normally clear mucus from the lungs, may also be lost.
Because of this, many people with bronchiectasis experience daily mucus, tightness and airway complaints.
Halotherapie en het immuunsysteem
Veel klachten waarbij halotherapie ondersteuning kan bieden — van astma, hooikoorts en COPD tot eczeem en psoriasis — hebben één gemeenschappelijke noemer: een overactief of ontregeld immuunsysteem. Het lichaam reageert dan te heftig op prikkels zoals pollen, huisstofmijt, virussen of stressfactoren, met ontstekingen in de luchtwegen of de huid tot gevolg.
Halotherapie helpt het immuunsysteem om rustiger en beter gereguleerd te reageren. De ingeademde droge zoutdeeltjes reinigen de luchtwegen, verminderen prikkels, helpen slijm af te voeren en helpen overmatige immuunreacties tot rust te brengen. Daardoor draagt halotherapie bij aan herstel bij luchtwegklachten én huidklachten zoals eczeem en psoriasis.
Lees meer over de werking op de pagina de wetenschap achter halotherapie of bekijk de uitkomsten van het onderzoek van de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Causes of bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis can develop from various diseases or damage to the airways.
Possible causes include:
Severe infections or pneumonia
For example:
- Whooping cough
- Tuberculosis
- Viruses
- Severe pneumonia
Chronic lung conditions
Such as:
- COPD
- Chronic bronchitis
- Pulmonary emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Cystic fibrosis
Chronic nasal and sinus inflammation
For example:
- Polyps
- Chronic sinusitis
- Chronic colds
Damage to the airways
Due, for example, to:
- Harmful fumes
- Smoke
- Chemicals
- Inhalation of stomach acid
Immune system problems
Certain immune system disorders raise the risk of bronchiectasis.
Symptoms of bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis can have a major impact on daily life. Many symptoms persist for long periods or return regularly.
Common symptoms of bronchiectasis include:
- Chronic coughing
- Coughing up stubborn mucus
- Mucus sometimes tinged with blood
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness of the chest
- Fatigue
- Pressure or pain in the chest
- Frequent airway infections
- Periods of feeling flu-like
- Bouts of fever
- Weight loss
- Colds and nasal complaints
- Bad-smelling breath
- Wheezing
- Less energy in daily life
Many people find that their airways remain constantly irritated.
How can halotherapy help with bronchiectasis?
Halotherapy recreates the microclimate of a natural salt cave. During the session a professional halogenerator disperses fine, dry salt particles throughout the room. While you sit or lie back and relax, you inhale this air naturally. The salt particles reach the airways and nose, where they kill bacteria, help dissolve mucus and support the immune system in regulating itself.
Many visitors with bronchiectasis experience that halotherapy can help to:
- Loosen stubborn mucus more easily
- Cough up mucus more easily
- Breathe more freely
- Take deeper breaths
- Cleanse the airways more thoroughly
- Reduce tightness of the chest
- Feel more air and energy
- Keep the nose and sinuses more open
- Experience more relaxation
Many visitors also report feeling fitter after several sessions in the salt room.
Why do many people with bronchiectasis use halotherapy?
Support for mucus clearance
With bronchiectasis mucus often lingers in the airways. Many visitors experience that halotherapy helps loosen mucus, so it can be coughed up more easily.
Support for the airways
The microscopically fine dry salt particles disperse deep through the airways and are experienced by many visitors as pleasant when dealing with mucus and tightness.
A calm, relaxing environment
During a 60-minute session, body and breathing can come fully to rest.
Visitor experiences with chronic airway complaints
Many visitors of HaloClinic Nederland with chronic airway problems report improvement in:
- Stubborn mucus
- Tightness of the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Pressure on the chest
- Fatigue
- Nasal and airway complaints
Visitors mention, among others:
- “More air”
- “Mucus comes away more easily”
- “I breathe more freely”
- “I feel fitter”
- “My airways feel cleaner”
Research into halotherapy
Research has been carried out at HaloClinic Nederland in cooperation with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam into visitors' experiences with halotherapy.
Many participants with airway and skin complaints reported positive changes while using halotherapy.
Why choose HaloClinic Nederland?
Specialised in halotherapy since 2011
HaloClinic Nederland has been helping visitors from all over the Netherlands and Belgium for more than 15 years.
Professional salt rooms
Our salt rooms are designed for the optimal dispersion of dry salt aerosol.
60-minute sessions
During a session you relax in comfortable chairs while the dry salt microclimate does its work.
Also suitable for children
Children are welcome from six months of age. In Zaandam we have a dedicated children's salt room.
First session FREE
Would you like to discover what halotherapy can do for bronchiectasis and your airways?
At HaloClinic Nederland the first session is free and non-binding.
Locations
Questions about bronchiectasis and halotherapy
Is halotherapy suitable for bronchiectasis?
Many visitors use halotherapy as natural support for chronic airway complaints and mucus.
Can halotherapy help with mucus in the lungs?
Many visitors report that mucus comes away more easily and that they can breathe more freely after several sessions.
How many sessions are usually needed?
This differs per person and per severity of the symptoms. Many visitors opt for several sessions spread out over a few weeks.
Is halotherapy relaxing?
Yes, many visitors find a session in the salt room calming and relaxing.
What are the outcomes of the VU research into halotherapy?
Halotherapy research: 9 out of 10 clients fully stopped their medication. An independent study by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, carried out at HaloClinic Nederland, shows striking results for people with airway and skin conditions.