Respiratory diseases are on the rise

From birth to the last breath every one of us has to breathe. A normal person can survive about 40 days without food. Without drinking just under 5 days. But without breathing, we can only survive a few minutes. Breathing is therefore vital for us all. The lung is our respiratory organ. Next to our skin, it is our largest organ that has direct and constant contact with the environment. However, with every breath not only air, but also numerous tiny dust particles, ashes, pollen and various irritating pollutants and microscopic pathogens (bacteria, fungi or viruses) enter our respiratory tract.

Pulmonologists are raising the alarm: Respiratory diseases are on the rise. Already 10% of children and approximately 7.5% of adults in Germany are affected by asthma. According to experts, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the world’s third leading cause of death by 2020. COPD and asthma are now part of the list of so-called widespread diseases in Germany.

Although respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia and bronchitis often have completely different causes, they still have one thing in common: the mostly viscous mucus obstructs the proper breathing and forms a breeding ground for infections. In order to better transport the increased mucus as well as the pathogens and pollutants in the airways, is crucial to liquefy the stuck secretions and humidify the respiratory tract.

In recent years, the alternative, non-drug treatment forms for respiratory diseases have gained more and more importance over the conventional drug treatments. Today, there is convincing data with respect to pneumological rehabilitation which impressively proves that, at least for COPD patients,  the sum of the positive effects of non-drug treatments is at least equivalent to that of a drug therapy (see K.Kenn, K.Schulz, Pneumologische Rehabilitation, in Pneumologe 2009.6, p. 251-263). In addition to the so-called lung sport, brine inhalations have particularly proven themselves.