Here was an article published after this discussion took place: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32827399/
Once again, it seems like the results are inconclusive. I share the concern @pacathy has about sanitation. In addition to my concern about the inhaler, I worry about the purity of the salt itself. The hypertonic saline in vials is sterile, but the salt in an inhaler is not; additionally it may be contaminated by debris, heavy metals and other substances.
Finally, with an inhaler, there is no way to measure the amount of saline - it depends on the user, how deeply they breathe and the saline content of the salt itself.
If you have mild BE like I do, it may not be necessary to nebulize saline every day - I use 7% saline about twice a week, and step up to daily if I have an exacerbation of my BE or Asthma or a respiratory illness. But I do airway clearance daily - promoting the elimination of mus=cus either with exercise or my Aerobika.
Cathy and Sue,
Thanks for your responses. I had been thinking about getting a nebulizer, but I think I'll give the salt inhaler a try. If it works, that will be great, if not, I'll get a nebulizer. I do bring up gunk when I do air clearance; the amounts are inconsistent - from nothing but foamy clear to varying amounts of globs of yellow-greenish gunk. But I'm pestered by the questions of whether there is entrenched stuff that never comes out.
I'm not too worried about infection from the solid salt, given its record of helping with lung problems, and knowing that not much can live on salt.
I'll let you all know how I do with the salt inhaler.
Sarah
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
Cathy and Sue,
Thanks for your responses. I had been thinking about getting a nebulizer, but I think I'll give the salt inhaler a try. If it works, that will be great, if not, I'll get a nebulizer. I do bring up gunk when I do air clearance; the amounts are inconsistent - from nothing but foamy clear to varying amounts of globs of yellow-greenish gunk. But I'm pestered by the questions of whether there is entrenched stuff that never comes out.
I'm not too worried about infection from the solid salt, given its record of helping with lung problems, and knowing that not much can live on salt.
I'll let you all know how I do with the salt inhaler.
Sarah