Halotherapy for sarcoidosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease in which small clusters of inflammation, known as granulomas, can develop in various organs. The lungs, lymph nodes, skin or eyes are often affected. When sarcoidosis occurs in the lungs, it is called pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Many people with sarcoidosis experience symptoms such as tightness of the chest, persistent coughing, shortness of breath, pressure on the chest, fatigue and less energy. Particularly with pulmonary sarcoidosis the airways can remain sensitive, irritated and inflamed.
At HaloClinic Nederland we have seen for 15 years that halotherapy can make an important difference for many people with sarcoidosis. Especially people with pulmonary sarcoidosis often report that after a course of halotherapy they can breathe more freely, cough less, loosen mucus more easily and experience more energy.
A well-known example is the article in the Noordhollands Dagblad about Sjaak Bakker. He was suffering with pulmonary sarcoidosis and was coughing so severely that, as the Noordhollands Dagblad described it, he was “coughing his lungs out”. Despite medical care and medication, he continued to have significant symptoms. After halotherapy at HaloClinic Nederland he noticed a clear improvement.
Read Sjaak Bakker's experience with pulmonary sarcoidosis and halotherapy.
Why halotherapy for sarcoidosis?
During halotherapy microscopically fine dry medicinal salt particles are dispersed in the salt room. This dry salt aerosol is inhaled and can penetrate deep into the airways.
Salt has a naturally cleansing and antibacterial effect. In the airways, dry medicinal salt aerosol can help loosen mucus, keep the airways cleaner and reduce the bacterial load. This can reduce irritation, the urge to cough and inflammatory reactions in the airways.
For people with sarcoidosis this is important, because the lungs are often sensitive and inflammation plays a major role in the symptoms. When the airways become cleaner, mucus is more easily released and irritation subsides, the body has more room to recover.
Halotherapie en het immuunsysteem
Veel klachten waarvoor men zich tot halotherapie wendt — 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 via onder andere het verlagen van het IgE-niveau. 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.
Sarcoidosis: symptoms that bring people to HaloClinic
People with sarcoidosis often come to HaloClinic Nederland when they still have symptoms despite visits to the pulmonologist and medication.
Common symptoms include:
- persistent coughing
- tightness of the chest
- shortness of breath
- pressure or pain in the chest
- mucus that is difficult to bring up
- fatigue
- little energy
- irritated airways
- recurring inflammation
- difficulty with exertion
We often see that halotherapy can be particularly meaningful for these symptoms. Read also about halotherapy for asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and long COVID.
Our experience with sarcoidosis since 2011
HaloClinic Nederland has been treating people with airway problems, skin conditions and chronic inflammation since 2011. Over the past 15 years we have supported many people with sarcoidosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis.
We see that many people with sarcoidosis do not simply come to the salt room by chance. They often have a long history behind them of symptoms, tests, check-ups with the pulmonologist and medication. Even so, they keep coughing, keep feeling tight or remain limited in their energy.
In this group we regularly see clear improvement after a series of halotherapy sessions. Read also the client experiences and the independent study by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
What do people with sarcoidosis notice after halotherapy?
Many visitors with sarcoidosis report that after halotherapy they:
- can breathe more freely
- cough less
- feel less pressure on the chest
- loosen mucus more easily
- have calmer airways
- react less strongly to triggers
- have more energy
- sleep better
- feel physically stronger
Some people notice a difference after only 1 or 2 sessions. For a stronger and lasting result we usually recommend a course of several sessions, since halotherapy works cumulatively.
Salt and inflammation in the airways
With sarcoidosis inflammatory reactions play an important role. As a result, the airways can be sensitive, irritated and strained.
Dry medicinal salt aerosol can help keep the airways cleaner. Salt has an antibacterial effect and can help reduce the bacterial load in the airways. In addition, salt helps loosen mucus so that the body can clear waste products and irritants more effectively.
When mucus, bacterial load and irritation decrease, inflammatory reactions in the airways can subside or come to rest. This is one of the reasons why people with sarcoidosis often experience clear improvement at HaloClinic Nederland.
How often to visit the salt room for sarcoidosis?
For sarcoidosis we usually recommend starting with a clear course.
Advice for sarcoidosis
- Starting phase: 2 to 3 times a week for 4 to 6 weeks.
- For more severe lung complaints: 3 times a week in the first weeks.
- Maintenance: once a week or once every 2 weeks.
- Effect: usually noticeable from 5 to 10 sessions. In practice many visitors already notice a first positive difference after 1 or 2 sessions.
The right schedule depends on the severity of the symptoms, the burden on the lungs, the client's energy and how quickly the body responds.
Reducing medication for sarcoidosis
At HaloClinic Nederland we see that people with sarcoidosis who undergo halotherapy are in many cases able to reduce their medication and sometimes even fully stop taking it.
Many people with sarcoidosis come to HaloClinic Nederland precisely because they still have symptoms despite medication and specialist care. For this group halotherapy can be a valuable step towards freer breathing, less coughing and greater recovery.
Halotherapy alongside the pulmonologist
Halotherapy is a natural method that can support the recovery of the airways. It is no reason to skip medical check-ups. With sarcoidosis, follow-up with the doctor or pulmonologist remains important.
That said, at HaloClinic Nederland we see that many people with sarcoidosis come to us precisely because they still have symptoms despite conventional care. Halotherapy can then be a powerful additional step in cleansing the airways, reducing coughing and supporting the body in the recovery process.
Why choose HaloClinic Nederland?
HaloClinic Nederland is among the first and most experienced salt rooms in the Netherlands. Since 2011 we have welcomed thousands of people with airway complaints, skin problems and chronic conditions.
People with sarcoidosis choose HaloClinic Nederland because:
- we have 15 years of experience with halotherapy
- we have extensive practical experience with sarcoidosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis
- we have professional salt rooms in Zaandam and Heemstede
- the first session is free and non-binding
- many visitors experience clear improvement
- halotherapy is natural and gentle
- children and adults are welcome
- we work with dry medicinal salt aerosol in a controlled salt room
First session free
Would you like to experience what halotherapy can do for sarcoidosis or pulmonary sarcoidosis?
At HaloClinic Nederland the first session is free and non-binding. This allows you to experience for yourself what the salt room can do for your airways, cough, breathing and energy.
Locations
Simply book your appointment online or contact us by phone.
Frequently asked questions about sarcoidosis and halotherapy
Does halotherapy help with sarcoidosis?
At HaloClinic Nederland we have seen for 15 years that many people with sarcoidosis experience positive results with halotherapy. Especially with pulmonary sarcoidosis visitors often notice that coughing decreases, the airways calm down and breathing becomes easier.
Why can salt therapy help with sarcoidosis?
Dry medicinal salt particles can reach deep into the airways. Salt has a cleansing and antibacterial effect. It can help reduce the bacterial load, loosen mucus and keep the airways cleaner. This can reduce irritation and inflammatory reactions in the airways.
What is pulmonary sarcoidosis?
Pulmonary sarcoidosis means that sarcoidosis is located in the lungs. People may then experience coughing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, pressure on the chest, fatigue and reduced lung function.
How often should I visit the salt room for sarcoidosis?
We usually recommend starting with 2 to 3 sessions per week for 4 to 6 weeks. With more severe lung complaints, 3 times a week in the first weeks may be better. After that, maintenance can often be reduced to once a week or once every 2 weeks.
When will I notice the effect of halotherapy for sarcoidosis?
Many visitors notice a first difference after just 1 or 2 sessions. For a stronger result we usually recommend 5 to 10 sessions or a full course of several weeks.
Can halotherapy reduce my need for medication?
At HaloClinic Nederland we see that people with sarcoidosis are in many cases able to reduce their medication and sometimes even stop taking it.
Can I try a first session for free?
Yes. At HaloClinic Nederland the first session is free and non-binding.