Coughing and Airway clearance

Posted by reneemc @reneemc, Nov 28, 2023

Does anyone have this experience?
When coughing to try and get something up , you can hear or feel something break up but can’t get it out? Is it still considered airway clearance if you can only bring it up but not out?

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@sueinmn

@reneemc - When this happens to me, I try doing my airway clearance "upside down" - literally. I will go into the "downward dog" pose, or alternatively, bend forward from the waist as if trying to touch my toes, and huff cough. I was out running errands today & had that issue. I stopped beside my car in a parking lot and bent over - 3 coughs and I got the gunk out.
Have you tried it?
Sue
PS By bending forward, my doctor assures me there is not danger of aspiration into the lungs.

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The bending over to "touch toes" is very effective... but I have wondered what I would if in public when the need arise!
Hilarious!
Thanks for the courage!

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@thisoldewe

The bending over to "touch toes" is very effective... but I have wondered what I would if in public when the need arise!
Hilarious!
Thanks for the courage!

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I wash my hair in that position, but no effect on mucus

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Same here. That is something we really need to spit out. And if it is not out, it goes back to lung. I usually had it at the end of the saline nebulizing. That is why I feel I need 8ml instead of 4ml saline.

I see this recommendation : Middle of the day, but not too close to eating and with 3 x 4 minutes of using the autogenic drainage app

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@sueinmn

@reneemc - When this happens to me, I try doing my airway clearance "upside down" - literally. I will go into the "downward dog" pose, or alternatively, bend forward from the waist as if trying to touch my toes, and huff cough. I was out running errands today & had that issue. I stopped beside my car in a parking lot and bent over - 3 coughs and I got the gunk out.
Have you tried it?
Sue
PS By bending forward, my doctor assures me there is not danger of aspiration into the lungs.

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Does anyone have a hiatal hernia because of coughing? I was just diagnosed with one.

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Deep breathing exercises seems to help me cough up the mucus.

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@km6

Does anyone have a hiatal hernia because of coughing? I was just diagnosed with one.

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May I know how did you find out about hiatal hernia? Endoscopy?

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@sweethighland

May I know how did you find out about hiatal hernia? Endoscopy?

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Chest CT picked it up
I did have some reflux as well

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@km6

Chest CT picked it up
I did have some reflux as well

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Thank you so much. I might have reflux as well. I might need to find out.

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