The invention described herein is directed to method of treating chronicobstructivepulmonary disease, comprising administering an effective amount of an osmolyteby at leastone nasal cannula to a subject in need thereof. Also provided is a nasalcannula system fordelivering an osmolyte, comprising a nebulizer and tubing having two ends,where the firstend of the tubing is connected to the nebulizer and the second end of thetubing is tapered tofit in the nostril of a subject.