“Draining your lungs” refers to various techniques designed to help clear excess mucus, phlegm, or fluid from the airways and lungs. This process is generally known as airway clearance. Understanding these methods is important for respiratory health, especially for individuals with mucus buildup. Effective airway clearance can improve breathing and prevent further complications.
Understanding Lung Drainage
The body naturally produces mucus, a thin liquid composed of water, proteins, and salts, which traps irritants and germs in the airways. Tiny hair-like structures called cilia then move this mucus upwards, allowing it to be expelled through coughing or throat clearing. However, certain conditions can disrupt this natural process, leading to an accumulation of mucus, phlegm, or fluid.
Mucus accumulation can occur due to infections, such as bronchitis, or chronic lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis. In these conditions, mucus may become thicker and more abundant, making it difficult for the cilia to move it effectively. The purpose of lung drainage techniques is to assist in removing excess secretions, improving airflow, reducing infection risk, and enhancing lung function.
Medically Supervised Drainage Methods
Professional medical procedures are used for lung drainage, particularly with significant mucus buildup. Chest physical therapy (CPT) is a key approach. One primary method is postural drainage, using specific body positions to allow gravity to move mucus from different lung segments into larger airways for easier coughing. For example, lying on your back with pillows under your hips can help drain the front of your lungs, while lying face down with pillows under your hips assists in clearing the back of your lungs.
Postural drainage is frequently combined with percussion and vibration. Percussion involves rhythmically clapping the chest and back with a cupped hand over the lung segments being drained, which helps to loosen thick, sticky secretions from the airway walls. Vibration uses rhythmic pressure applied to the chest wall to further mobilize mucus. These techniques are performed by healthcare professionals like respiratory therapists or nurses, and sometimes patients or caregivers can be trained to perform them. Bronchodilator medications, which open up the airways, may also be used in conjunction with these physical techniques to enhance mucus clearance.
Self-Care Techniques for Airway Clearance
Individuals can employ several self-care techniques for airway clearance, though these are generally supportive measures and not replacements for medical treatment. Controlled coughing is a technique that uses specific steps to loosen and move mucus more effectively than a typical forceful cough. This involves sitting upright, taking a slow, deep breath, holding it briefly, and then performing two to three short coughs.
Another effective method is huff coughing, which involves exhaling forcefully but slowly, as if fogging a mirror, to move mucus from smaller airways to larger ones. This technique can be less tiring and more effective for some individuals. Staying adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. Diaphragmatic or “belly breathing” exercises also help move air into the deeper parts of the lungs, which can aid in mucus mobilization.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
It is important to recognize when professional medical attention is necessary for lung-related symptoms. You should consult a healthcare provider if a cough persists for more than a few weeks, or if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. These symptoms include coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm, or any blood-tinged mucus.
Immediate medical attention is warranted if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest pain that does not resolve with rest. A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, or any worsening of existing respiratory symptoms also indicate a need for professional assessment. Self-treating severe lung conditions without a proper diagnosis can lead to serious complications.