Can anyone tell me the most effective ways to shift mucus? Got asthma and had several nasty chest infections one after the other. I've finished antibiotics but I still have mucus to shift.
How long should I expect chest congestion to be there after recent bout of strep pneumoniae then haemophilus influenzae? I'm feeling much better generally but my lungs still feel clogged and I'm coughing up clear phlegm with green lumps😷sorry! I'm thinking if I can shift it and keep on top of it I'm less likely to get a reinfection.
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thewheezyone
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Try the pursed-lip technique; breath in as deeply as possible through your nose; hold your breath for a few seconds, then blow as if you were trying to blow out a candle (with pursed lips - google it if you're unsure). Keep going as long as you can & eventually you will start to cough. It's good for clearing gunk. If you search (e.g. pulmonary rehab, breathing copd, etc.) there are quite a lot of online demonstrations.
Good luck.
Hi usually coloured mucus is a sign of infection. I would keep an eye on it and go back to the doctors if it continues as you may need more ab's.
Only problem with pineapple juice is that pineapple is known to cause issues for people who suffer from reflux problems - not uncommon in asthmatics. It's a pity really; as you say, it would be a tasty way of dealing with the problem.
I've got that (reflux and indigestion) which gets really bad when I've had a viral infection. I think its the sheer force, violence and frequency of the coughing attacks which do a bit of damage. Gavescon helps me and also Yogi Throat Comfort Tea (which is far nicer than gavescon!)
I didn't know that Maggie. I don't think I suffer from reflux but your reply is a good warning to those who do. It is good that we all try to help each other.
I had a similar problem in January and February due to a viral infection. I did a search on the internets and found many of the physio exercises for Cystic Fybrosis patients will do for getting mucus out for someone with a lung infection. After all, its still all mucus.
A basic exercise I found, is with a slightly cupped hand (not the flat like a slap), pat the chest area. Its something I was doing instinctively and often in one area as I could feel that particular area had mucus in it (usually top right lobe near the collar bone for me!).
If you can teach someone to do so on your back, lie with lots of pillows under your middle so you head is sloping downwards. The friend/relative, using a cupped hand and pat your upper back and eventually you will find yourself coughing up the mucus.
A lot of patients with respiratory diseas of one kind or another suffer from Mucus without any underlying infection, due most often to the specifics of their condition, especially inflammation (the typical treatment for which is often steroids - Inhaled or in pill form. Inhaled Steroids take up to eight weeks to reach full effectiveness. Often, treatment will need to include a Long Acting Beta Agonist rather than reliance on a short acting one like Ventolin. Some / all of your mucus may simply be residual from your known past infections, and those with a Respiratory Illness will often take much longer to reduce their Mucus. Most infections that give rise to Mucus are viral and antibiotics have little to no effect on viruses. The important thing is to keep badgering your GP for Mucus Tests - but be aware that the standard mucus test only identifies bacteria not viruses. There are additional Tests (including blood tests) that can detect certain non bacteria infections and you could try putting your GP on the spot by asking at what point such tests will be valid for your symptoms. Hope you feeel better soon.
What a fab reply and advice, thanks. I saw a respiratory consultant last week who is sending me for ct scans and various blood allergy tests. He wants to see if the constant infections have left any lasting damage and to see if there is an underlying problem as to why I keep getting the infections. As I said, after this long dose of doxy I feel fairly well in myself but I just feel that there is a lot of rubbish and inflammation still on my lungs and I want to keep them as clear as I can. Thanks again! Xx
What a fab reply and advice, thanks. I saw a respiratory consultant last week who is sending me for ct scans and various blood allergy tests. He wants to see if the constant infections have left any lasting damage and to see if there is an underlying problem as to why I keep getting the infections. As I said, after this long dose of doxy I feel fairly well in myself but I just feel that there is a lot of rubbish and inflammation still on my lungs and I want to keep them as clear as I can. Thanks again! Xx
The Active Cycle of Breathing is a very good exercise for clearing mucus off the Lungs There are examples of it shown by some NHS Respiratory Physiotherapists on You Tube.
It works very well, in conjunction with drinking water. Give it a go. You have nothing to loose.
I'd also like to suggest Serrapeptase or N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), from health food shops or the internet, which along with good hydration can help to thin mucus so that it easier to cough up.
Also a flutter pipe can help to move mucus up your respiratory tract without too much coughing - there are YouTube videos which show how to use it properly. They are quite expensive to buy (Amazon for instance), but sometimes people have got them via their GP/respiratory clinic.
Certain exercise may help clear your chest. Exercise can either relieve your asthma symptoms or make them worse, depending on whether the exercise is appropriate for you.
When I began doing the "Peaceful Warrior Workout" (PeacefulWarrior.com) my asthma symptoms lessened. I had much less chest congestion. Go to the website and learn the exercises. Then consult with your physician to see if these exercises are appropriate for you.
Perhaps someday you'll consider running as the right exercise for you. If you do, take a look at my book, "Running with Asthma: An Asthmatic Runner's Memoir," available on amazon.com.
i used a 1/4 teaspoon pink himalayan salt 1/2 teaspoon organic honey in 1/2 cup of hot water stir add the juice of half a lemon, topped up with cold water so the drink is warm, drink through a straw so don't damage your teeth. I recon this helped me to get my phlegm up ,hope it is good for you. I do this every morning before breakfast
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