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constant sore throat from clearing my throat during airway clearance

Posted by ann25 @ann25, Oct 6 9:32pm

I use an Acapella and then postural drainage. As part of each of these processes, I huff and then cough and then clear my throat. The clearing of my throat causes my throat to get red and sore and this continues day after day as a result of this airway clearance. Am I doing something wrong? If I don't clear my throat (loudly), the mucus doesn't come up.

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scoop | @scoop | Oct 7 3:22pm

Hi, It's possible you are working too hard with the clearing, which is easy to do since we all want to get airway clearance over ASAP! Huff coughing is quite a gentle maneuver. Perhaps review your technique -- here's a child demonstrating the huff cough. I often go back to it as a reminder to be more gentle.


Also, what are you doing prior to beginning airway clearance? It's fairly standard practice to inhale a bronchial dilator such as albuterol followed by hypertonic saline. Presently, I use 2 vials of 7% hypertonic saline. While inhaling the saline I stop every now and then to use the huff cough to clear. Years ago I used the acapella and then moved on the aerobika then onto the AD app. After a lot of trial and error I found these devices less effective than the huff cough on its own. It's really what works for you. Hope this is helpful!

PS - I also take 1200mg of mucinex 1-2 per/day with a full glass of water.

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isabellad | @isabellad | Oct 7 5:45pm

I sometimes huff and cough too hard and my throat hurts also.
I find if I swallow a teaspoon of manuka honey, it soothes the throat.
Some chamomile tea with honey at the end of the session also helps.

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ann25 | @ann25 | Oct 7 8:04pm
In reply to @scoop "Hi, It's possible you are working too hard with the clearing, which is easy to do..." + (show)
Profile picture for scoop @scoop

Hi, It's possible you are working too hard with the clearing, which is easy to do since we all want to get airway clearance over ASAP! Huff coughing is quite a gentle maneuver. Perhaps review your technique -- here's a child demonstrating the huff cough. I often go back to it as a reminder to be more gentle.


Also, what are you doing prior to beginning airway clearance? It's fairly standard practice to inhale a bronchial dilator such as albuterol followed by hypertonic saline. Presently, I use 2 vials of 7% hypertonic saline. While inhaling the saline I stop every now and then to use the huff cough to clear. Years ago I used the acapella and then moved on the aerobika then onto the AD app. After a lot of trial and error I found these devices less effective than the huff cough on its own. It's really what works for you. Hope this is helpful!

PS - I also take 1200mg of mucinex 1-2 per/day with a full glass of water.

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@scoop Thank you so much. I will try the saline and the mucinex with water. (I can't take the albuterol.) Maybe then I will have success with the way the child in the video does the huffing, which is a lot softer than my huffs.

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ann25 | @ann25 | Oct 7 8:10pm
In reply to @isabellad "I sometimes huff and cough too hard and my throat hurts also. I find if I..." + (show)
Profile picture for isabellad @isabellad

I sometimes huff and cough too hard and my throat hurts also.
I find if I swallow a teaspoon of manuka honey, it soothes the throat.
Some chamomile tea with honey at the end of the session also helps.

Jump to this post

@isabellad Thanks much, I will try your suggestions.

REPLY
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