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Clear Lungs Remedy

Obstruction of your lungs occurs when your airways become narrow, clogged or swollen because of thick mucus or inflammation. Your lungs make mucus to defend against germs that can cause infections. However, when the mucus becomes too thick or there or too much inflammation in your lungs buildup you will typically experience shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing. If you have a lung condition like COPD or cystic fibrosis, clear lungs are important to maintaining good health. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs), according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) can improve lung function.

  1. Controlled Cough

    • Utilize a controlled cough technique. With this technique your cough will come from deep in your lungs to clear them. If you have COPD, use controlled breathing after you use your medicine like an inhaler. Sit on a chair. Make sure you sit on the edge with both feet firmly on the floor. Then lean forward and relax. Fold your arms over your stomach then breathe slowly inhale though your nose. Lean forward further as you exhale and push your arms against your stomach.

      Cough approximately two to three times with your mouth slightly open while you exhale. Your coughs should be sharp and short. Your first cough should cause the mucus into your airways. Your second cough should expel the mucus.

    Cough Alternative

    • Try to huff. For regular mucus in your lungs that are thin, it will help to cough. The sudden and high-speed airflow will clear your lungs. However, if the mucus is too thick, coughing too much can cause you to feel worse. Instead, use the huffing technique. The huffing technique is another type of cough, according to CFF, it is not as forceful as coughing, but can be less tiring and work better. You inhale and activity exhale. To use this technique imagine you are huffing onto a window or mirror to steam it up. Another example is if imagine if you are huffing on to you glasses to fog them up before you wipe them off.

    Therapy Option

    • Use chest physical therapy for 20 to 40 minutes. This is another remedy to clear your lungs. Postural drainage and percussion (PD&P) uses gravity and percussion the clear the lungs. With two positions you can sit upright or lean forward. Other positions are to rest on each side, your back, and sides. Place a pillow between your legs. Another position is to rest on your stomach. The gravity will cause the thick mucus to drain.

      When you are in each of these position, have someone perform percussion on your chest for three to five minutes then over the lungs for 15 minutes. Their hand should be cupped like they are holding water in their hands, but with the palm facing down when they are softly clap on your chest. Their hand should be flat as they clap on your lungs. Then you will huff or cough to clear your lungs.

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