You may find that you are still coughing up phlegm or mucus after an infection with COVID-19 (coronavirus). This is normal after respiratory infections. It is how the lungs and airways keep themselves clear. Keep clearing the phlegm from your lungs to improve your lung condition and reduce the chance of getting chest infections. There are breathing exercises and positioning exercises that can help
clear phlegm better. To help keep your chest clear: Give yourself time to rest before and after doing any exercises. Deep breathing is a simple technique to expand your lungs and help clear your phlegm. You can do this many times during the
day in any place or position. Make sure you are comfortable and your chest and shoulders are relaxed. After the exercise you can gently clear your phlegm by huffing. Watch a demonstration of deep breathing.
Please accept Youtube cookies to view this content. Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them. Breath stacking techniqueBreath stacking is a technique that can be used to:
Wait for 1 hour after having food or drink before you do these exercises. If you have any chest pain during the exercise, stop the exercise.
After the exercise you can gently clear your phlegm by huffing. Watch a demonstration of breath stacking. Please accept Youtube cookies to view this content. Read our cookies policy to find out more about our cookies and how we use them. Non-urgent advice: Phone your GP and stop these exercises if:
Positioning exercises to clear phlegm (postural drainage)You can get a build up of phlegm in the lungs, particularly in the bottom or sides of the lungs. It is easier to clear phlegm if it's in the middle of your chest or central airways. You can help to move the phlegm using different positions. These positioning exercises use gravity to help clear phlegm that has built up. How effective they are will depend on the thickness or stickiness of your phlegm. It may be harder to clear thick phlegm. These exercises may not work if your phlegm is very thick and sticky. Wait for at least 1 hour after a large meal before starting these exercises. Stop an exercise if you have heartburn or feel sick during it. Positioning exercise 1This may help clear phlegm from the base of your lungs.
After the exercise you can gently clear your phlegm by huffing. Demonstration of positioning exercise 1 Positioning exercise 2
After the exercise you can gently clear your phlegm by huffing. Demonstration of positioning exercise 2 Clearing phlegmTry to huff to clear the phlegm after doing breathing or positioning exercises. It is less tiring than coughing. To huff:
You can follow huffing with a cough if you need it. But do not use too much force. You can spit out the phlegm. But it's not harmful to swallow it. Phlegm is usually a clear or white colour. Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP if:
What is the fastest way to get mucus out of your lungs?Getting rid of phlegm and mucus at home. Keep the air moist. ... . Drink plenty of fluids. ... . Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the face. ... . Keep the head elevated. ... . Do not suppress a cough. ... . Discreetly get rid of phlegm. ... . Use a saline nasal spray or rinse. ... . Gargle with salt water.. How do I unclog my chest from mucus?Self-care steps. Gargle with warm salt water. This home remedy can help clear mucus from the back of your throat and may help kill germs.. Humidify the air. ... . Stay hydrated. ... . Elevate your head. ... . Avoid decongestants. ... . Avoid irritants, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution. ... . If you smoke, try to stop.. What dissolves mucus in lungs?CAM therapies that may help clear mucus in the lungs include: Warm fluids: Drinking warm (not hot) liquids can help loosen thickened mucus. Try tea, warm broth, or hot water with lemon. Steam: You can use a device such as a cool-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer to breathe in warm air.
|