Asthmatics’ lungs helped by a ‘kettle’

INHALING steam from a high-tech type of kettle could help to strengthen asthma sufferers’ lungs.

In a trial, Finnish patients with the lung condition used a WellO2 breathing training device for 15 minutes a day.

The breathing exercise involves gently inhaling the steam and then blowing it back into the device. A valve inside the spout partly blocks the airflow, so muscles in the chest and neck must work harder to force the warm air through.

It was found to strengthen lung volume by up to 20 per cent in just four weeks.