Dear All, I don't think he would mind so I am going to repeat a post from @steve1948, regarding a good way to cough when it begins to be a really HARD cough .. @steve1948 has COPD so has learned how to handle this well! Hope it helps someone! Hugs! Katherine

His post: I have fractured 5 ribs from my violent coughing. I used a pillow where it hurt and braced myself against something solid to try and keep the pressure from pushing on the ribs. Excruciating pain when I coughed. Now the is important to note, a therapist told me to keep my mouth as wide open as possible when I cough which takes a good portion of the pressure off the torso (rib cage). It can be unsightly and sometimes my sputum projects so I just keep tissues with me and hold it in front of my mouth, NOT against it. I haven't fractured any more ribs since then. That was invaluable information for me as I cough consistently and sometimes quite violently. Doctor's told me it can take many months for the ribs to heal and there isn't any treatment for such an injury. They don't wrap you anymore because of the chance of pneumonia.