Coughing Techniques

Airway clearance techniques help to remove mucus from your airways. Clearing the airways helps you breathe better and lowers the chance for infection. One method is controlled coughing. Be sure to also use any medicines before or after clearing your airways, as instructed by your healthcare provider. For example, some people use inhaled bronchodilators before clearing their airways. 

Controlled coughing

Here is how to do it: 

• Sit on a chair with both feet on the floor.

• Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Hold for 2 counts.

• Lean forward slightly.

• Cough twice—2 short coughs.

• Relax for a few seconds.

Repeat the steps as needed. 

The “huff” technique

Here is how to do it: 

• Sit on a chair with both feet on the floor.

• Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Hold for 2 counts.

• To breathe out, open your mouth and make a “huff” sound in your throat. (This is the same way you might breathe to clean a pair of eyeglasses.)

• Huff 2 to 3 times as you breathe out.

• Relax for a few seconds.

Repeat the steps as needed.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.