Cough is effective, how to remove clogged phlegm optimally

Inflammation that occurs in the respiratory tract increases the production of mucus or phlegm in the lungs. This excess phlegm will block the airways and cause you to cough constantly. A cough that doesn't stop is certainly very draining and the body becomes weak. Apart from resting, consuming more fluids, and taking cough medicines, there are effective cough techniques that can help you relieve coughs. How to do it?

What is an effective cough?

An effective cough aims to remove phlegm that has accumulated in the inside of the lungs. This coughing technique will remove all phlegm in the respiratory tract maximally so that the air flow returns smoothly and the persistent cough you experience can subside. That way, you don't need to spend too much energy when you cough.

Under normal conditions, mucus or phlegm functions to protect the organs and walls of the airways from irritants or dirty particles that are inhaled while breathing. Phlegm also helps the cough reflex to remove irritants from the respiratory tract.

However, when there is a respiratory system disorder, such as a viral or bacterial infection, there is an increase in sputum production. Excess volume of phlegm triggers a cough with phlegm continuously.

Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic, coughing that occurs constantly is actually ineffective in removing phlegm and irritants that clog the airways. The airways remain obstructed.

In diseases that cause serious damage to the lungs, such as COPD, uncontrollable persistent coughing suppresses phlegm and gas trapped in the lungs. As a result, the air that carries oxygen is increasingly difficult to enter.

An effective cough is usually applied to clear the airways in patients with COPD. Not only for COPD, this method is also useful for improving respiratory ability and lung function in people with emphysema, asthma, fibrosis, and other respiratory infections.

How to do it?

Effective coughing techniques rely on movement of the airways. That is why practicing this method can strengthen endurance as well as promote relaxation of the muscles of the respiratory system.

Effective coughing methods include deep breathing and direct coughing. In a scientific article entitled Forced Expiratory Technique, Directed Cough a combination of deep breathing techniques and coughing or exhaling directly has been shown to clear the airways of excess secretions or phlegm.

It can also correct inefficient breathing patterns, such as going too fast, causing shortness of breath. Therefore, this cough method continues to be applied as a therapy to help treat patients with respiratory problems.

This method can be done by anyone and does not require special tools. You only need to prepare a few ingredients to prepare the sputum container, such as:

• Tissue or handkerchief
• Closed container filled with disinfectant liquid, such as soapy water or detergent
• One glass of warm water

Make sure afterwards you throw the phlegm in a place that doesn't contaminate air, water, or objects so that it can be inhaled or exposed to other people. Dispose of it into the toilet drain, then flush it clean.

As already explained, the cough method is effective in combination with deep breathing techniques or active cycle of breathing technique (ACT). This breathing technique is done by taking a breath and then holding it for a few seconds and then expelling it.

Holding your breath serves to let air into the back of the phlegm so that the phlegm escapes from the airway wall and can be expelled maximally by coughing.

The right way to do an effective cough method

The following are the steps for performing an effective cough technique:

1. Position the body in a sitting state with your feet touching the floor. You can sit on a chair or lean back on the bed.
2. Place or fold your hands in front of your solar plexus, then slowly inhale through your nose. This method is done to suppress the movement of air that causes coughing.
3. Take 4-5 deep breaths.
4. During the inhale keep the shoulders relaxed, that is, the position of the upper chest is still and allow the abdominal cavity to move up. Hold the breath for 2-3 seconds, exhale slowly.
5. On the fifth breath, before coughing, lean over while pressing your arm to your gut first.
6. Lift your shoulders and loosen up your chest, then cough tightly.
7. The cough should be strong and short. This method will make phlegm out.
8. In addition to the one-time cough technique, coughing can also be done 2-3 more times after that, but in a more closed mouth. If you do this technique the first cough aims to loosen the phlegm and drain it into the main airway. The phlegm will then be expelled during the second and third coughs.
9. Slowly inhale again through your nose to help the phlegm drain back into your airway.
10. Do it a few times as needed until you feel you can breathe easier and the cough subsides.

However, to get the maximum benefits of an effective cough, this method must be done properly. If you are unsure about applying the wrong technique, you can ask a doctor or therapist to teach you first.

Try to use an effective cough method on a regular basis whenever coughing symptoms occur. The more you exercise, the more you will get used to controlling persistent cough symptoms and will save more energy for resting and taking medication.

How to relieve cough

Coughing techniques are effective in making the sufferer feel more comfortable when expelling the accumulated phlegm, not to relieve the disease. There are several ways that can be done to relieve cough, including:

• Drink warm water
• Drink honey
• Drink ginger tea
• Install humidifier indoor
• Gargle salt water

In addition, you can also take cough medicine which can make it easier to expel phlegm. You can look for cough medicines that contain ingredients such as:

1. Expectorant

Expectorants can make it easier for someone with a cough to get phlegm.

In addition, expectorants can also relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, flu, or allergies. Here are some expectorants that can relieve coughs:

• Guaifenesin
• Potassium iodide

1. Mucolithic

Mucolytics can also liquefy phlegm and make phlegm less sticky for easy removal. Mucolytic content includes:

• Acetylcysteine
• Bromhexine
• Ambroxol

1. Combination

You can take a cough reliever that contains a combination of expectorants and mucolytics to make it more effective and active after coughing. For example, cough medicine containing Bromhexine HCL and Guafanesin. This combination cough medicine is sugar-free and alcohol-free, and doesn't cause drowsiness.

You can do the methods above to reduce the symptoms of a cough with phlegm. Usually, the cough will subside within three weeks. If it does not heal, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.