Chest infection

[Bluebells17]

I am an asthmatic and after a chest infection I really struggling with mucus in my lungs that I can’t shift after the infection is over. I can feel it being there in my lungs but it is as it’s stuck, maybe tightness in my chest? Anyone else that has the same experience and that has any advice how to help me please? X

[ChrissieMons]

Try Benylin for mucus.

[Itswonderful]

Hi Bluebells. Can you tolerate steam? Some people can and some not so much but if you can it’s worth inhaling steam several times a day to help loosen the mucous in your lungs. Also, drinking two to three litres of water a day with help shift it. There are breathing techniques that can help as well. Sit, stand or lie on your side and think about breathing into your tummy. Don’t move your shoulders or chest. Take three or four small breaths in and out, think about taking in less air rather than more. Relax your face neck tongue shoulders and chest. Then take in a deeper breath, into your tummy, do it gently and pause for a count of four. Then allow your jaw to hang open and your throat to relax and breath out gently through your mouth. All the other breaths should be through your nose. Repeat a couple of times several times a day. When the mucous starts to shift add in “huff” at the end of the long breath out. Avoid coughing until it is high enough to come out. Drinking the water through the day will reduce the stickiness and help it come up more easily. If in doubt, speak to your AN or GP because you may need something to help shift it if it’s too sticky.

[Superzob]

Unfortunately, over-production of mucous is common in people with lung conditions. Fortunately, mine is loose and thin, and I find N-acetyl cysteine helps (available from health stores), but thicker mucous is normally dealt with using carbocysteine, which is only available on prescription. Another prescription medication which may help is Montelucast, which is often given to asthma sufferers.

Hope you find a solution.

[risabel59]

Hi there, Agree with both above posts, You might also like to look on You tube for mucus clearing exercises, here is a link youtube.com/watch?v=XvorhwG...(Not working as expected?) do work if you persist, not as easy as video, Also if you can get a referral to a respiratory physio they can show you other method. But it's almost impossible to get a referral to one on NHS.

R