Cough

[Wendyhoz60]

Hi I have bronchietasis at the moment I am on antibiotics and steroids. My chest is very tight and a none productive cough 😦 any ideas how I can loosen the mucus ? Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

A hot shower with lots of steam close doors and windows, hot as you can handle bath and dip your self right under lay for a few mins then when you get out get someone to rub deep heat over your back and front of chest or Vicks vapour rub. The movement and heat loosens the phlem.

Hope it works for you

[Mintoes]

It’s tricky, I find it almost impossible until the steroids start to kick in. I have been given an “acapella” which helps me cough and my husband gives me physio on the affected side. When I’m well I try to exercise as much as possible to keep my respiratory muscles strong.

Also, I try and drink at least 2L of fluid a day do that the mucous isn’t too sticky.

Hope this helps

[Wendyhoz60 in reply to Mintoes]

Thank you so much for your reply x

[Hidden]

Respiratory exercises can help. You can ask for physiotherapy. In the meantime you will find exercises on youtube:

youtu.be/kC-H8fFzZes(Not working as expected?)

Take care x

[Wendyhoz60]

Thank you so much x

[Ceejay65]

I am recovering from a bout right now having only just had it diognosed properly (previously diagnosed as asthma). I’m having daily physio on the affected lungs and am on a saline solution nebuliser. I’m finding the respiratory exercises and breathing techniques invaluable in getting the phlegm up. And as someone else said drinking plenty of fluids. Try and breath from the diaphragm and do the ‘huffing’ technique as much as possible to lessen the strain when coughing. Hope that helps.

[Wendyhoz60]

Thank you 😊 and I hope you feel better soon x

[Claudine]

Carbocisteine is what you need for the mucus. It thins the mucus and makes it easier to cough up.

[Jenlet]

Hi Wendyhoz60,

I agree with all that is said. The acapella ,salt inhaler, The wife who helps me a lot with physio 4 times a day, making sue you drink lots of water, the breathing exercises, doing as much as you can walking the dog, enjoying the sun. One help is to put some vick into boiling hot water in the bed room before going to sleep. The deep breaths and the HUFF are essential before going to bed for a good night's sleep.

I wish you well

Dan

[Jenlet]

I forgot to mention the carbocisteine which helps a lot but it disagrees with some people.

Dan

[Grayjay]

Drink plenty of water or hot drinks.

[Tinker26]

Autogenic breathing brings up the mucus see the videos on YouTube .