Clearing your lungs after Covid

[Snowdrop27]

I started on doing breathing exercises to clear the phlegm from my lungs after covid. This is when my asthma started to trigger coupled with doing too much the day before.

Its put me off a bit but I am determined to continue. It's day 4 after my asthma attack and day 4/5 taking my rescue steroids. I only had to reach once for my reliever and had to take 4 puffs as my cough was coming back. It could be done to working in a dusty (long dusty curtains) and a pollution hot spot. I can't control my environment as a supply worker.

So has anyone done breathing exercises to help with phlegm from a post covid cough.

[Rostom]

Try 'huffing'. This is a technique taught on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation courses.

To begin, you need to take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, concentrating on expanding your lower chest. Breathe out in a relaxed way. Repeat 3-4 times.

To huff, take a small breath in and force the air out through a wide open mouth, as though you are misting up a mirror. Repeat twice. Use breathing control to relax your breathing again.

This technique can really help clear the 'gunk' from your chest. I hope it helps and wish you better soon.

[CraftyLego]

I feel in a very similar position to you. I'm newly diagnosed but have an exasperation. I've been to A&E twice. I'm also once again on steroids. I've been trying the Buteyko breathing method. I'm persevering too. I'm just concentrating on the relaxed breathing to try and stop me overbreathing so much.

[Rostom in reply to CraftyLego]

Hi CraftyLego

Are you able to summarise the Buteyko breathing method for us please? I am curious!

[CraftyLego in reply to Rostom]

It is a method of reducing your breathing during set exercises. The idea is that people with ill health, such as us asthma sufferers tend to overbreath. I'm doing mainly the relaxation exercises. You can do it when you do mindfulness meditations. Instead of taking any deep breaths, when you focus on your breathing keep it slow and relaxed and make sure that you are breathing into your abdomen. Asthma UK has information about the Buteyko method. You can WhatsApp them for information.