Asthma is a chronic disease that affects millions of people daily. It's characterized as a hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen, which can cause chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Asthmatics have had to rely on traditional treatment methods for years, but recently utilizing salt therapy for asthma has become more common.
Although asthma is incurable, salt therapy can help manage the symptoms. This blog post will explore how salt therapy for asthma can improve your quality of life.
Halotherapy (salt therapy) is a natural therapy that may help to improve asthma symptoms and lower asthma attacks' frequency and severity. It is a complementary treatment for various respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, allergies, sinusitis, and rhinitis*.
Including salt therapy for asthma in your treatment plan may significantly improve your symptoms. While salt treatment for asthma isn't recommended in place of traditional asthma medicine, visiting salt caves regularly offers benefits beyond treating physical symptoms.
When used regularly, salt caves provide an environment to de-stress, boost skin and respiratory health, and promote better sleep. When our mental and physical health improves, our quality of life is enhanced.
**Halotherapy research ranges from measuring the beneficial effects on mucociliary clearance in asthmatic adults to its therapeutic effects on acute or chronic asthma in adults and children. Salt therapy has been evaluated for its impact on asthma patients in at least 18 studies.*** One particular paper documented halotherapy’s ability to hinder nocturnal asthma exacerbations.
The results of one study were particularly impressive. The study included 15 patients with bronchial asthma and other respiratory conditions and four control patients.**** After 12-15 days of halotherapy treatment, patients experienced an absence of dry cough and wheezing. No severe asthmatic conditions were reported throughout the treatment period.
Although more research is needed involving patients with chronic infectious inflammatory and allergic respiratory diseases, salt therapy for asthma may be the way forward, according to the current data.
When it comes to salt therapy, scientific research has yielded mixed results. Some smaller studies suggest potential benefits, but the current body of evidence lacks the rigor needed for widespread medical endorsement.
This leaves a gap in fully understanding how effective halotherapy truly is for asthma.
In one study, 15 patients with bronchial asthma saw improvements in symptoms like coughing and wheezing after 12 to 15 days of treatment.
While these results seem promising, the small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up significantly limit the study’s reliability.
A broader review of 151 studies on salt therapy for conditions like asthma and COPD found only one randomized controlled trial—the gold standard for medical research. This shortage of high-quality studies highlights the need for more rigorous research to verify the true impact of salt therapy over time.
Concerns also arise around patient consistency. Many studies do not clearly differentiate between those with asthma and other conditions, or fail to account for factors like medication use during the therapy. This creates uncertainty in evaluating halotherapy’s effectiveness in isolation.
Additionally, some research indicates potential risks for asthmatics. There are reports of salt particles irritating airways or triggering bronchoconstriction in certain cases.
This makes it essential for patients to consult their doctors before considering salt therapy, particularly if they have severe asthma symptoms.While salt therapy may offer some benefits, the lack of large-scale, well-controlled studies means it should only be considered as a complementary treatment, not a replacement for traditional asthma medications.
Halogenerators are machines designed specifically for salt therapy to crush and grind salt into microscopic particles before dispersing them into the salt room. There are many types of salt, but only one can be used in halotherapy. Pure-grade sodium chloride, sometimes referred to as medical-grade sodium chloride, is the only salt that should be used in halogenerators.
Other types of salt, like Himalayan salt, should only be used as decor elements in a salt cave. Ordering salt lamps or similar products for your home will not provide the therapeutic benefits of salt therapy.
Halotherapy is an effective way to manage the symptoms of asthma. You’ll need to visit a salt cave multiple times each week to effectively see a difference in managing your asthma.
Alternatively, you can request a free consultation with SALT Chamber to explore whether an at-home halotherapy room is more suitable.
For salt therapy to be most effective, the particles dispersed by the halogenerator need to be less than 2.5 micrometers. If you need to know whether your local salt cave meets these requirements, ask.
While salt therapy is often marketed as a natural and safe treatment, it’s important to recognize the potential risks it may carry for asthma patients. Although salt particles are known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, they can also cause adverse reactions in certain individuals.
One concern is that inhaling concentrated salt particles can irritate the airways. For some asthma patients, this irritation may lead to bronchoconstriction—a narrowing of the airways that makes breathing more difficult. This risk is particularly significant for those with more severe or uncontrolled asthma.Additionally, relying on halotherapy without medical guidance can lead to dangerous outcomes. Some patients may feel temporary relief and decide to reduce or stop using their prescribed asthma medications.
This is risky because long-term asthma control depends on maintaining consistent use of prescribed treatments, especially for preventing flare-ups.
Another factor to consider is that not all salt rooms are created equally. Some may not meet the necessary standards for salt particle size or room sanitation, which can reduce the therapy’s effectiveness or even introduce other health risks, such as bacterial exposure in poorly maintained environments.
Lastly, certain individuals should avoid salt therapy altogether. Patients with hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or other chronic conditions may experience worsened symptoms due to the salt's effects on their bodies.
Consulting with a healthcare provider is essential to determine whether halotherapy is appropriate for individual health needs.
If visiting a salt room in a spa is cost prohibitive, there are ways to experience the benefits of salt therapy at home. SALT Chamber’s SALT FX® home is specially designed for at-home or travel use with HaloSalt™. Our portable halogenerator brings the health benefits of a salt cave to your home. The SALT FX® home is frequently paired with our Pop-Up SALT Booth® if you don’t have space to convert a room.We recommend speaking with your doctor before trying this all-natural salt treatment for asthma. You should only discontinue the use of any prescriptions for asthma after consulting a medical professional.
Halotherapy treatment involves sitting in a SALT Booth® or salt room for 10-45 minute sessions inhaling aerosolized pure-grade sodium chloride dispersed by a halogenerator. When you inhale the salty mist, the micron-sized salt particles travel into your airways to clear blockages like mucous plugs and reduce inflammation.
The medical-grade salt works to reduce bacteria and viruses, which can trigger asthma attacks. Since the salt used in halotherapy is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, regular visits to salt caves can help prevent bacteria from causing issues in the future. Clearer, “cleaner” airways help asthmatics breathe deeper. It’s important to remember that although using salt therapy for asthma may improve symptoms, it is not a cure.
Salt caves are allergen-free, microclimate environments designed to help improve respiratory and skin health. Inhaling micron-sized particles dispersed by a halogenerator introduces water into the airway thinning the mucous, which makes it easier to expel.
The causes of an asthma attack can range from common allergens, like dust mites, mold, and pollen, to sinus infections, acid reflux, and even bad weather. For some people, hyperventilation can also cause an asthma attack to occur.
The most common benefits asthmatics experience utilizing salt therapy for asthma include the following:
The effects of salt treatment for asthma patients may vary depending on each unique situation. The lasting benefits will also differ depending on your biology and asthma history.
Whether you’re looking for natural symptom relief or a reduction in the frequency of attacks, halotherapy is worth pursuing. Across the internet, you can find testimonials from asthmatics who have found relief from their symptoms after regularly visiting salt caves. It’s important to remember that although salt therapy for asthma can complement traditional asthma treatment, it is not a substitute, and there is currently no known cure for asthma.
Find a salt cave near you, or contact us to learn how to use salt therapy for asthma from the comfort of your home.Endnotes:*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34726628/**https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8184161/***https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8623171/****https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391365/
Leo Tonkin, with a decade of deep expertise in salt therapy, initiated SALT Chamber, a leading entity in the domain of salt therapy products and decor. As the inaugural Chairman of the Salt Therapy Association and Chair of the Respiratory Wellness Initiative from the Global Wellness Institute, he has played a pivotal role in broadening the accessibility and recognition of salt therapy globally. His commitment to developing advanced technology and educating the public on the benefits of salt therapy has solidified his position as a key figure in the industry, enhancing its credibility and trustworthiness.
