.

  • If possible use a spacer device with your inhaler. This helps to reduce the degree of powder residue left on your tissues.
  • After inhaling rinse your mouth with water – swish it around to reach all areas inhale steam to rinse the tissues further down your throat, larynx and airway.

·

Maintain high levels of fluid intake and steam inhalation throughout the day.

How to contact us

Speech and Language Therapy DepartmentsOffice hours:

Monday-Friday 9am - 4.30pm

University Hospital of North DurhamTelephone: 0191 3332591

Darlington Memorial HospitalTelephone: 01325 743152

Bishop Auckland General HospitalTelephone: 01388 455714

Contact details

Central Appointments Bureau

Speech & Language Therapy

Bishop Auckland General Hospital

Cockton Hill Road

Bishop Auckland

County Durham

Tel: 01388 455200

Let us know your thoughts,

Date Published: May 2017

Date of Review May 2020

Responsibility: Speech & Language Therapy

Reference No: PIL/CG/0457

Version: 1

Cough Clinic Managing Persistent Cough

Information Leaflet

Breathing techniques to help with secretion management:

Many people with breathing disorders suffer regularly with chest infections. One effect of this is to increase the secretions produced within the lungs. In order to clear the lungs of these secretions it is common for people to resort to extreme bouts of coughing.

However this is not the most effective way to deal with the secretions.

Coughing for extended periods causes increased muscle tone in the lungs and can trigger bronchial spasm, which in turn causes more secretions to form in the lungs. Coughing hard to eject secretions causes the vocal folds to be brought sharply together which is very harsh and can lead to voice quality change.

The following exercise techniques will help to clear your lungs without promoting coughing or damaging your voice.

Environmental Dryness

We tend to live very dry lives nowadays with centrally heated, double-glazed, draught excluded homes; air-conditioned offices, leisure centres, hotels and public buildings like hospitals and shopping centres. These
conditions dry-out the air we breathe and reduce the natural moisture support we need from our environment.

In such conditions try to improve moisture retention by:-

  • Taking plenty of sips of water throughout the day
  • Sniff steam whenever you have the opportunity

If you control the environment improve humidity by encouraging evaporation of water into the atmosphere:-

  • Adding a bowl of water in a dry room
  • Hanging cups of water on your radiators
  • Having vases of cut flowers or plants with large water-trays in the room

The Active Cycle of Breathing

The active cycle of breathing is designed to clear secretions with minimal effort and without the need for excessive coughing.

Getting started:

Adopt a comfortable position.

You may find lying on your side or sitting at a table leaning forward with your head on a pillow will help with lung clearance.

Step one: Relaxed breathing

With slow rhythmical breathing (10 – 12 breaths per minute) your stomach should rise as you breathe IN and relax flattening back as you breathe OUT. Your shoulders and neck should be relaxed and your upper chest should not move. Place your hand on your stomach to feel it rise and fall.

Take 3 slow rhythmical breaths in and out.

Step two: Deep breathing

Take 3 deep breaths (feeling the air reach the bottom of your lungs), holding the breath in for 3 – 5 seconds, whilst keeping your shoulders relaxed. Breathe out gently and smoothly. The secretions will now be loosened and moving up the airway from the bottom of your lungs.

Take 3 slow rhythmical breaths in and out.

Step three: Huff or forced expiration

Take 3 huffs: Imagine steaming up a mirror with your mouth open.

  • First take a small breath in followed by a forceful huff out using your tummy muscles.
  • Repeat with a medium breath in followed by a forceful huff out.
  • Then take a deep breath in with a forceful huff out. When you feel phlegm at the back of your throat huff again to remove it and repeat the cycle again.

Return to relaxed breathing after each step and take 3 slow rhythmical breaths in and out.

Dry powder inhalers

Some commonly prescribed medication can cause drying of the lining of your throat and mouth. Inhaled medications tend to be dry powder which can adhere to the lining of your mouth, throat and airway absorbing the natural moisture and drying the tissues. The following advice will help restore and balance moisture.