What is the effect of steam in common cold?

General
1

Common cold is indeed a very common illness among persons of all age groups. Runny nose or stuffy nose, sneezing, headache are the complaints of a patient with common cold. One of the common ways to assist in managing common cold is steam inhalation. But what does steam actually do?

Effects of steam inhalation according to different studies are discussed as follows:

  • Steam inhalation in support of pharmacological treatment reduces symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, headache, facial pain.
  • Inhalation of hot and humid air increases the nasal mucosal temperature, inhibiting chemical secretion from mast cells.
  • After inhalation of steam, the histamine level in nasal mucus of patients decreased significantly leading to decreased nasal obstruction and vascular leakage.
  • Steam decreases osmolarity of mucus, leading to easy removal of sticky nasal mucous and phlegm.
  • It reduces mucus secretion from various nasal glands.
  • Nasal Muco-ciliary clearance ( propulsion of mucus by cilia to expel irritants) may be reduced in acute upper respiratory infections. Steam inhalation improves this nasal muco-ciliary clearance.

Conclusions:

To sum it up, steam inhalation in support of pharmacological treatment can help reduce symptoms of common cold by-

  1. Reducing secretion
  2. Decreasing obstruction
  3. Removing the sticky mucus or phlegm

Addition of herbs like tulsi, lemongrass, ginger can further improve the symptoms but is recommended only after proper consultation.

Feel free to share some proven tips on managing common cold.

MBH/PS

5 Likes
2

True, natural remedies are also better than relaying on medicines.

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3

Proper rest, Proper hydration and hot soups.

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4

Gargling with some warm salt water and stay well hydrated.

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5

Drinking warm water and taking proper rest to avoid straining yourself.

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6

Some salt water gargles thrice daily and antihistamines should help with the watery nose and sore throat. Usually recommended under the doctors prescription.

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7

It’s simple but quite effective. Herbal concoctions can be a great support, too

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8

I add a commonly used ointment in the hot water for inhalation. Helps me decongest a lot better.

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9

This is really helpful and easy to understand. Steam inhalation actually makes a noticeable difference, especially for congestion. Nice summary

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10

Glad you liked it!

11

Steam inhalation is very much effective in cases of common cold. You explained how it works in a brief yet complete form. Along with herbs few people also do additions like vicks in the water for better effect.
But it should be done with precautions like

using clean water and utensils every time
not boiling water too much
limiting steam session to 10mins

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12

Nice advice

13

Inhalation of steam helps in clearing airways and provides sooting effect which helps in reduction of throat infection.

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14

Interesting