Inhalation therapies

What they are for

Inhalation therapies are among the most requested thermal treatments in the respiratory field: they support the function of the upper and lower airways, especially in the presence of chronic or recurring conditions. At Terme di Roma they use sulphurous thermal water in several methods of administration, chosen according to the clinical picture and the medical assessment.

In thermal practice they are used in cases of rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, rhinosinusitis-bronchial syndromes and other conditions in which it is helpful to promote the thinning of secretions, the decongestion of the mucous membranes and the clearing of the respiratory tract. Where provided for, they are also carried out under the Italian National Health Service (SSN).

Methods of administration

Each technique has its own characteristics in terms of particle size, area of deposition, depth of action and main indications. The choice rests with the physician.

Nebulisations — € 8,50 per session

Group treatment: the thermal water is diffused into the room in the form of a moist mist made up of extremely fine particles. The patient remains for the prescribed time inside a saturated space, inhaling the thermal component through normal breathing. It promotes hydration, the thinning of secretions and a local action on the mucous membranes; it is indicated in chronic or recurrent catarrhal conditions of the upper airways and is among the most traditional treatments in thermal inhalation therapy.

Humage — € 8,50 per session

Dry inhalation treatment: it makes use of the gaseous component released by the sulphurous water. Through a dedicated system the thermal gases are channelled to the patient’s breathing device, allowing a targeted inhalation. It is indicated to allow the active principles contained in the water to reach the lower respiratory tract with a technique different from the traditional moist treatments.

Aerosol — € 8,50 per session

Delivery of thermal water particles into the respiratory tract, calibrated according to the area to be treated. It is the reference technique in inhalation programmes and is frequently combined with the other methods of the department.

Sonic aerosol — € 8,50 per session

It combines the delivery of thermal water particles with a low-frequency sound stimulation. The combination helps the treatment spread to areas that are difficult to reach, such as the paranasal sinuses and the Eustachian tube region. It is particularly used in programmes dedicated to chronic rhinosinusitis, catarrhal otitis and otosalpingitis. Correct execution and the patient’s cooperation are an integral part of the method’s effectiveness.

Ionic aerosol — € 8,50 per session

A variant in which the thermal water particles receive a negative electric charge: they remain more stable and dispersed, which promotes their penetration into the respiratory tract and their contact with the mucous membranes. It is used above all in the presence of vasomotor rhinopathy, rhinobronchial syndromes and chronic bronchitis.

Steam-jet inhalation — € 8,50 per session

Often used as a preparatory phase for the subsequent inhalation treatments: the heat of the steam promotes local vasodilation and prepares the mucous membranes for absorption. It is aimed at the upper areas — nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx and the initial sections of the respiratory tree — and is carried out according to controlled parameters of temperature and particle size.

Micronised nasal douche — € 8,50 per session

Individual treatment that uses an abundant flow of thermal water particles to cleanse, thin secretions and decongest the nasal and rhinopharyngeal area. It is indicated in the presence of rhinitis, rhinosinusitis and rhinopharyngitis, and can support treatment programmes — in children and adults — related to secretory otitis media and otosalpingitis.

Inhalation therapies for children

The paediatric cycle is designed for young patients with recurrent episodes of colds, rhinitis, adenoiditis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis and bronchitis. It serves to support the function of the respiratory mucous membranes in support of the therapies indicated by the paediatrician.

Aerosol, nebulisations and nasal washes with sulphurous thermal water are used to promote the clearing of the airways, thin secretions and improve breathing. It is a treatment which, when indicated by the paediatrician or the doctor, can form part of a programme to prevent recurrences.

The programme is assessed case by case, according to the child’s age, the frequency of the episodes and the tolerability of the treatments. Where provided for, an annual cycle is available under the SSN, with a prescription from the paediatrician or the treating doctor.

How to access

With the SSN

You need the red prescription form (ricetta rossa) from your GP (family doctor), which must state the condition, the diagnosis and the treatment. For it to be valid for this treatment, it must bear the following wording, in Italian (meaning: “A cycle of inhalation therapies (12 inhalations and 12 aerosols) is requested for chronic rhinosinusitis-bronchial syndromes, or simple or obstructive chronic bronchitis, or chronic sinusitis, or chronic pharyngolaryngitis, or vasomotor rhinopathy”):

Si richiede un ciclo di cure inalatorie (12 inalazioni e 12 aerosol) per sindromi rinosinusitiche-bronchiali croniche oppure bronchite cronica semplice o ostruttiva oppure sinusite cronica o faringolaringite cronica o rinopatia vasomotoria

With the prescription you access a cycle of twelve sessions paying only the co-payment (ticket). The SSN covers one cycle of cures per year. War and service invalids, blind people, deaf people and civil invalids (including those with an invalidity between 34% and 66%) may have a second one in the same year, to treat the condition that caused the invalidity. The second cycle is also paid according to one’s own exemption.

Privately (self-paying)

Access is also possible without a prescription, with the clearance of the spa physician. Preferential terms are available for a second cycle of cures in the same year and for affiliated organisations: ask at the Admissions desk.

For private access the admission medical examination costs € 20,00; with an SSN prescription it is included in the cycle of cures. The prices of individual sessions are shown above. Information: 0774 408500.

Booking

No booking is required: access is during the department’s opening hours.