Inhaling salt mist helps cystic fibrosis patients

Two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine have found that inhaling mists of salt water can help clear mucus and improve lung function for cycstic fibrosis sufferers.

A study conducted by the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital found that patients who inhaled a 7% mist of salty water twice daily for 48 weeks had fewer lung problems than those who inhaled a solution with a salt content of under 1%. All patients used a bronchodilator before each dose.

Another study from the Cystic Fibrosis Research and Treatment Centre at the University of North Carolina in the US found that patients who inhaled a 7% saline solution four times daily with or without bronchodilator treatment before the dose, also found that mucus clearance and lung function improved.

An editorial by Dr. Felix Ratjen in the same issue of the journal points out some of the limitations of the studies and the fact that the salt mist treatment can be unpleasant, because of the bad taste and coughing fits it produces.