Mucous bronchi cause annoying coughing fits. With our tips you will quickly get rid of the mucus in the bronchi.
What is behind mucous bronchi?
Mucous bronchi can indicate various diseases. They typically occur, for example, with colds or bronchitis, but often also with lung diseases or asthma. The mucous membranes become inflamed, and the bronchial mucous membrane increases secretion in the course of the disease. This hinders breathing and also provides a good breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Coughing is supposed to move the mucus out of the body.
Why do we cough?
Coughing is actually a protective reflex of the body with which the airways are to be cleaned. Coughing with sputum, for example, transports mucus out of the bronchi. Although this is usually uncomfortable for us, it is the only way to get rid of the secretion stuck in the bronchi. The following applies: The tougher the mucus, the harder it is to cough up. Incidentally, chronic coughs can often be traced back to environmental stimuli such as tobacco smoke or dust.
Therapy: Treat mucous bronchi
There are various ways that we can cough up easier and free us from congested bronchi. The following tips and home remedies can help with the disease:
- Drink a lot: Fluid also liquefies the mucus in the bronchi. We should therefore drink at least two liters of water a day. But special teas that support expectoration are also suitable. Medicinal plants often used in this case are, for example, thyme, ribwort and marshmallow.
- Expectorant: With the help of plant-based expectorants, which also rely on the plant power of ribwort and Co., the mucus in the bronchi is liquefied. Important: Expectorant and cough suppressant must not be used in parallel!
- Inhalation: The airways are usually very dry when you have a cold, which increases the urge to cough, but does not help to relieve congested bronchial tubes. The airways are moistened by inhalation and the stuck mucus loosens. You can simply fill a bowl with hot water and add eucalyptus oil to it, for example. Then you put a towel over your head and inhale and exhale the steam deeply over the bowl. Alternatively, there are real inhalation devices in the pharmacy. You can find out more about inhaling correctly here.
- Tapping and massages: Gentle tapping and back massages can also help to loosen the secretion from the bronchi. When you exhale, you tap from the bottom up. But: The implementation is left to better trained specialists.
- Room humidifier: Dry room air also irritates the bronchi and, in the worst case, increases the formation of mucus. With the help of room humidifiers in every room, the airways also tend to stay moist.
That's the right way to cough
Coughing creates high pressure in the chest and lungs. In order not to put additional strain on the lungs, the correct cough etiquette helps:
- Stay relaxed: We tend to tense up when we cough, but that's counterproductive. So try to stay relaxed. When coughing, you bend your upper body slightly forwards, and support your arms on your thighs.
- Cough late: Don't try to use convulsive coughing to move deep-seated mucus up. With that you only burden the body. Instead, try to cough only when the secretion is already felt higher up in the chest or throat.
- Use the fist: It is best to cough against the closed lips or against the fist. The cheeks inflate, creating counter pressure that widens the airways and makes coughing easier.
- Cough briefly: If possible, try to cough briefly and vigorously. Otherwise you risk a dry coughing fit.
- Use lip brake: To make breathing easier, the so-called lip brake is worthwhile. To do this, you breathe in deeply through your nose, press your lips lightly together and only let the air escape through your mouth through a narrow gap.
Cold or bronchitis – which illness do I have?
While a cold is often mild, bronchitis manifests itself through strong symptoms, but above all, of course, through a very strong cough, which can also cause chest pain or even shortness of breath. You shouldn't underestimate bronchitis – It could also develop into chronic bronchitis or even pneumonia. If the symptoms do not subside, become stronger or more are added, a doctor should be consulted. Medicines may have to be used for treatment here
Reading tips: You can find out everything about coughing here. We also explain the best home remedies for coughs and what you should know about coughing up sputum.
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sources
Kardos P .: Guideline of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine for the diagnosis and therapy of adult patients with cough. In: Pneumology 2019.
Weise, S .: Recommendations for physiotherapeutic respiratory therapy (2nd edition). Oberhaching / Munich, 2008.