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Guide to cough managementAdditional information
Guide to cough
management
An adaption of a leaflet produced by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
The Royal Bournemouth Hospital,
Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7DW
Author: Sarah Grisenthwaite Date: July 2021 Version: Three
Review date: July 2024 Ref: 408/21
t: 01202 303626 w: www.uhd.nhs.uk t: 01202 303626 w: www.uhd.nhs.uk
: @UHD_NHS : @UHDTrust : @uhd_nhs : @UHD_NHS : @UHDTrust : @uhd_nhs
08
G l At first you should notice that your coughing bouts are G
u This leaflet is intended to provide u
i i
d shorter or the cough is not as hard, then they should happen d
e information about e
less often
t t
o l What happens when you cough o
l
c the end result is for you to regain management of your cough c
o l o
u Why cough management is important and your breathing pattern to allow you to complete all your u
g g
h l What is a ‘good’ breathing pattern and why is it important normal day to day activities h
m to help cough management m
a a
n n
a l Practical suggestions to break the cycle of a chronic cough. a
g Any questions g
e e
m Why do we cough? m
e e
n n
t l Coughing is usually a reflex action. It is your body’s way t
of automatically preventing choking and clearing dust,
mucus and other irritants out of your windpipe and lungs.
l Coughing can be problematic when it occurs with no
obvious cause (e.g. phlegm or irritants). This can develop
in a vicious cycle where excessive coughing causes
irritation and inflammation worsening the cough.
l This type of cough is sometimes called a chronic cough.
l Sometimes this type of cough can be voluntary where you
cough on purpose because of the tickle in your throat.
It can become a habit.
A chronic cough can be difficult to manage.
02 07
G GT
u Why is mouth breathing a problem? How can I manage my cough? uh
i ie
d d
e l Dry, fast flowing air enters the lungs quickly which can Ask yourself if your cough sounds productive (there is phlegm), eL
e
t ta
o provoke a cough and lead into the cycle of coughing - or if your cough is dry. If your cough is productive, try the og
c see the diagram on page 3. following breathing exercises to clear the phlegm. cu
o oe
u u
g l go
h Mouth breathing during heavy exercise however is normal. hf
1. Breathing F
m mr
control 20-30 i
a What is a ‘normal’ breathing seconds. ae
n nn
a ad
g pattern? gs
e e
m 2. Steady, long breath in through nose. ma
l Nose breathing 8. Huffing t
Hold breath for a few seconds.
e followed by Sigh air out through mouth fully. eT
n l Gentle, silent diaphragmatic (tummy) breathing with very little coughing. nh
t Repeat 5 times te
upper chest movement R
o
l Breathing out is quiet and with no effort Top tips: y
a
l Sips of water throughout. l
l The rate is rhythmical with an average 10-15 breaths 7. Breathing l 3. Breathing B
control 20-30 Aim to use the breathing part control 20-30 o
per minute at rest seconds. to bring the sputum up to limit seconds. u
r
coughing n
l Depth of breathing should vary appropriately during activity e
and rest m
o
6. Steady, long breath in through nose. 4. Steady, long breath in through nose. u
t
Learning this breathing pattern is essential in helping you Hold breath for a few seconds. Hold breath for a few seconds. h
Sigh air out through mouth fully. Sigh air out through mouth fully.
manage your cough. Repeat 5 times. Repeat 5 times. H
o
s
p
Spend time practising a good breathing pattern when you are i
5. Breathing t
control 20-30 a
resting and during light activity. seconds. l
Ask your respiratory physiotherapist for help if you are
struggling. If your cough is dry sounding use the following strategies as
often as needed. You will need to keep practising these as they
How will this help me manage my may not work immediately.
cough l close your mouth and swallow
This will help you to break the cycle detailed on page 3. l drop or relax your shoulders and gently breathe in and
out through your nose until the urge to cough goes away.
04 05
G l try sipping drinks regularly during the day. Try hot and cold G
u Why can a cough be difficult to u
i i
d drinks initially to see which works better for you. d
e manage? e
t l try sucking lozenges or boiled sweets t
o l If constant coughing has caused inflammation in the o
c l try just clearing your throat gently to relieve the tickle c
o upper airways. o
u u
g l g
h Using a combination of these techniques consistently is effective If you have a chest infection. h
m at reducing cough. l If you have a lot of phlegm you will need to use chest m
a a
n clearance exercises. n
a Try the above ideas as soon as you feel the tickle or urge to a
g g
e cough coming on, not when you are already having a coughing l If your airways are tight and wheezy. e
m m
e bout. l If you mainly breathe through your mouth with an abnormal e
n n
t Cough management can be very hard - but keep practising breathing pattern. t
and it will become easier. Chronic cough cycle
Summary:
Be kind to your airways tickle in cough
l practice the techniques detailed in this leaflet regularly the throat
l managing your cough can be very difficult but will improve
with practice
l ask your respiratory physiotherapist for help if required.
irritation to mouth
Breathe through your nose the upper breathing
l at rest and during light activity airways
l follow the ‘good’ breathing pattern advice detailed in
this leaflet.
Keep practising abnormal
l these techniques often take a while for you to notice any fast flowing, breathing
benefits dry, cold air pattern
into lungs
06 03
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