Mucous removal breathing devices and heart problems

[Desanthony]

My wife has breathing problems and uses a flutter device to help remove phlegm. A neighbour has asked her to show her how this is done but said neighbour has enlarged heart which is probably to blame for most of her feeling of chestiness. Not sure if these would be safe to use for her. Anyone have any experience?

[Ambler]

What's the flutter device please?

[Desanthony in reply to Ambler]

It's a device you use to breathe into which causes your lungs to bring up phlegm. there are various devices such as the acapella device as well.

[secondtry]

Sorry no experience but can you send a link to the device your wife uses in case Google doesn't find it for me.

[Desanthony in reply to secondtry]

Will do

[Desanthony in reply to Desanthony]

Its similar to the new Air Physio device that everyone seems to be talking about these days. All i can find on the flutter is on selling sites such as Amazon.

[Racquet]

I have an Air Physio and it works pretty well. I had been using a Ventolin inhaler on mornings when I was bunged up with phlegm but I found think that frequent use of Ventolin made the phlegm more abundant paradoxically. Just like using some nasal inhalers. They are great for a few days but after that it becomes non-effective or causes nasal passages to swell. The Air Physio device is a good lung exerciser and that in itself helps one to expectorate more efficiently. Pricey but they are probably not made in huge enough quantities to bring the cost of manufacturing down. It's a useful device and helps to clear out the morning gunk and stop the annoying cough that can continue throughout the day.

[Desanthony in reply to Racquet]

The Flutter Device is similar and is cheaper and cheaper than that is the Powerbreathe Shaker at about £30.00. That was the first one my wife had but somehow it got lost and we didn't even find it when we moved house - how does that happen? Since then we have bought a "Flutter" and lost and found it numerous times so bought another one and now have two. My wife generally likes to use Active Cycle of Breathing method the National Aspergillosis Centre where she goes has a video on You Tube with her Physio Phillip showing you how to do this you don't need a device to do this and it works just as well. there are other videos on You Tube from Asthma nurses and Physios on how to use this. Helps if you need to provide a sputum sample for the Docs if you have an infection too.