A buildup of excess phlegm may develop because you are suffering from a bad case of the flu, the common cold, or an allergy. It could also be that you are a smoker. Or, perhaps you have recently undergone a major surgery and spent more time in bed than you usually do which has prevented you from working the mucus from your lungs.
Although mucus is a natural occurrence, like anything else that can go wrong within our body, when it gets out of control it can become a very bad thing. We find that we are drowning in our own body fluids. In the event of excess mucus buildup there are two factors that have to be taken care of and quickly: Your current health situation needs to be brought under control and it needs to be discovered why things went so drastically wrong in the first place. A distinct set of preventative measures can be put in place to stop it from occurring again.
There is a simple lung exercise which is a powerful tool for removing excess mucus from the lung. It is very easy to learn as it is merely a series of deep breaths followed by a cough. Sit in a chair or on the side of the bed, breathe in slowly as deeply as you can, then release this breath fully. Do four to five deep breaths in this same manner, and on the last inhalation period, rather than just breathing the air out, quickly cough it out. It is actually very easy to initiate this cough, and it is very effective. The mucus is expelled. For fast relief get into the shower and deep breathe the steam. Take slow deep breaths and as in the above exercise force yourself to occasionally cough as this will help to expel the excess fluid. Repeat the breathing exercise as needed. Steam it out.
Turn the shower on and steam up the bathroom. Then get in there. Steam is an old fashioned cold remedy and one that can work quite successfully to help get that mucous out. It is a quick and simple solution for both children and adults. When I am experiencing difficulty breathing I use this method combined with the above lung exercise to ease my symptoms. A side benefit to steaming is that the warmth of the water relaxes the muscles. Relieving that tension can also help to alleviate some symptoms.
Allergy or flu? There are ways to relieve the congestion and stop the cough. Many times the mucus begins in the nasal passages from a sinus infection or reaction to an allergy. Because of the extreme amount of mucus and congestion produced, this fluid drips or is inhaled downward and winds up pooling in the lungs. The resulting congestion can be very difficult to deal with. Anyone who has suffered from allergies, the flu, or a seasonal cold has probably noticed this pooling of fluid within the lungs. Too much mucus in the lung can cause severe breathing difficulty and increase the risk of infection.
Stop your cough with the natural antibacterial properties of honey. The steam from sipping a hot drink of natural lemon or two tablespoons lemon juice and one teaspoon honey added to hot water will help open clogged passageways and relieve the congestion. The honey will help to soothe the throat area, prevent bacteria from thriving there, and stop a cough. Lemon is a diuretic and can help push fluids through faster.
Studies show that honey is as effective at stopping a cough as is commercial cough syrup. The good news about choosing honey is that honey is natural and has many more health benefits to it than just that of a decongestant. It is also an antibacterial agent so it can help heal your throat and intestinal issues as well. Chicken Soup and other hot drinks can provide nasal relief as their steam can be almost as beneficial as a hot shower.
Chest ointment made from olive oil and your choice of camphor, eucalyptus or peppermint can also help to relieve symptoms of congestion. Singing will also help clear your lungs of mucus and help to increase lung capacity.
Salt is a natural antiseptic which can aid in healing. Gargling with warm salt water can help kill germs and bacteria in the throat. For those who suffer from asthma, salt can be highly beneficial in helping to control those symptoms. There are many commercial saline solutions (salt and water) which can be used to clear the nasal and sinus passages to make breathing through clogged nasal passages a little easier. You can also easily create your own saline solution using warm boiled water and salt. You can sniff this solution from your hand or place it in your nose using a finger wet in the solution then sniff deeply to bring the solution into your sinus cavities. Use a humidifier or steamer in your home. If you do not have one, then boil a pot of water on the stove to get moisture into the air. Note: It is very important to always use boiled water to sniff or gargle to prevent further bacteria or other contaminants from entering the body.
Use a Neti pot to help cleanse the sinus passages with a salt water solution to help to relieve sinus congestion and kill the bacteria that reside there. You can use a Neti pot to help with a cold, flu, or excess mucus or phlegm brought on by allergies. Just be sure to use water that has been boiled and insure that your Neti pot is sterile and clean for each use.
I gargle with warm salt water throughout the day whenever I am feeling exceptionally congested and I use a saline solution to sniff into my nostrils. Sometimes I will simply apply it with my finger and then sniff to draw it into the nasal cavities. Get a flu shot. It really does work.
Use these natural therapies to your advantage. Keep in mind that honey is a natural antibacterial. Salt will kill germs and bacteria. You can sip a hot honey drink to get honey's full health benefits and you can simply breathe in the steam from a boiling salt water infusion. Placing salt and boiling water into a bowl creates a steamy solution. You have only to pop a towel over your head and then lean over it to take advantage of its steamy benefits.
A proper diet always helps to improve a person's immune system and health, so eating responsibly can be a tremendous health aid. In your diet, try to avoid a lot of red meats, dairy products, or grains such as wheat which might trigger an attack excess secretions. Vitamins that help to prevent mucus buildup include vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and cod liver oil, so include them into your supplement program.
Rest is important for recovery from the flu. Take it easy but don't allow fluids to pool in your lungs.
If you suspect it is the quality of the air in your home which may be the reason for your breathing difficulties then dust mite covers for your mattresses and pillows, a humidifier, dehumidifier or an air purifier can be used to help improve the air quality within your home. Open a window to get fresh air into your home. Studies show that the indoor pollutants within your home are probably around five times higher than the pollutants floating around in the air outdoors. Keep a window in your home open at least one inch in both the summer and winter. If you are not able to do this then try to open a window for at least fifteen minutes each day to allow for an exchange of fresh air into your home.
Often it is allergens or pollutants that are the root cause of a persistent cough. Your sinuses plug up and then they drain. This occurs on a continuous basis causing an excess mucus and phlegm problem. All this additional mucous generally winds up pooling in the lungs. Cigarette smoke, plant pollens, household pollutants such as paint, cleaning fluids, cat dander, dust mites, or mold can all contribute. A mucus attack can also begin if you are exposed to excess dust out of doors, or to smoke, and its accompanying particles from a campfire or forest fire.
Small wood dust particulate if you are sanding or standing near someone who is can also trigger an excess phlegm attack to occur. In an attempt to rid itself of the small particles, your body will produce extra mucus to catch and maintain this material so it can be flushed from the body with the next cough or sneeze. Too much exposure to these small particulates will lead to your body producing excess mucus.
Walk to help clear your lungs . Walking is one of the best exercises for keeping your lungs strong and clear of mucus. It is also an exercise program that virtually anyone can participate in. You can jog from room to room within your home or get out into the sunshine and go for a quick walk outdoors. Just keep in mind when walking outdoors that you are doing a return trip and don't walk so far out that you can't make the return walk back home in comfort.
A treadmill enables you to continue exercising even when it is too cold to walk outside during those long winter months. They are also nice to have to jump onto throughout the day. Every few extra steps helps so don't think that five minutes here or there isn't sufficient to make a difference. It all aids in building up your stamina, clearing your lungs of mucus, and making them as well as your heart much stronger. The more fit you are, then the more ability you will have to fight off a lung infection.
Know what your triggers are. The triggers which lead to a persistent cough or excess fluid in the lungs must be known if the attacks themselves are to be stopped. Being exposed to small particulate can be very dangerous so I try to avoid this trigger as much as I am able to. I have an illness which weakens my muscles, thereby causing me to have shallow breathing. I often do not breathe deeply enough to reach the bottom of my lungs. I know what my triggers are and I avoid them as much as I am able to. Discover what yours are then remove, eliminate, or avoid them as much as you are able to. This will stop your body from having to protect itself by producing excess mucus.
Laughter can help clear your lung congestion. A good laugh will not only help to clear the mucus from your lungs, but it will also release endorphins and these will help to make you feel better. Endorphins are the body's natural painkiller, and they are released when you exercise, smile, laugh, or participate in any other pleasurable activities. So find any reason that you can to laugh and have a really great chuckle, it's good for you.
There is a simple lung exercise which is a powerful tool for removing excess mucus from the lung. It is very easy to learn as it is merely a series of deep breaths followed by a cough. Sit in a chair or on the side of the bed, breathe in slowly as deeply as you can, then release this breath fully. Do four to five deep breaths in this same manner, and on the last inhalation period, rather than just breathing the air out, quickly cough it out. It is actually very easy to initiate this cough, and it is very effective. The mucus is expelled. For fast relief get into the shower and deep breathe the steam. Take slow deep breaths and as in the above exercise force yourself to occasionally cough as this will help to expel the excess fluid. Repeat the breathing exercise as needed. Steam it out.
Turn the shower on and steam up the bathroom. Then get in there. Steam is an old fashioned cold remedy and one that can work quite successfully to help get that mucous out. It is a quick and simple solution for both children and adults. When I am experiencing difficulty breathing I use this method combined with the above lung exercise to ease my symptoms. A side benefit to steaming is that the warmth of the water relaxes the muscles. Relieving that tension can also help to alleviate some symptoms.
Allergy or flu? There are ways to relieve the congestion and stop the cough. Many times the mucus begins in the nasal passages from a sinus infection or reaction to an allergy. Because of the extreme amount of mucus and congestion produced, this fluid drips or is inhaled downward and winds up pooling in the lungs. The resulting congestion can be very difficult to deal with. Anyone who has suffered from allergies, the flu, or a seasonal cold has probably noticed this pooling of fluid within the lungs. Too much mucus in the lung can cause severe breathing difficulty and increase the risk of infection.
Studies show that honey is as effective at stopping a cough as is commercial cough syrup. The good news about choosing honey is that honey is natural and has many more health benefits to it than just that of a decongestant. It is also an antibacterial agent so it can help heal your throat and intestinal issues as well. Chicken Soup and other hot drinks can provide nasal relief as their steam can be almost as beneficial as a hot shower.
Chest ointment made from olive oil and your choice of camphor, eucalyptus or peppermint can also help to relieve symptoms of congestion. Singing will also help clear your lungs of mucus and help to increase lung capacity.
Use a Neti pot to help cleanse the sinus passages with a salt water solution to help to relieve sinus congestion and kill the bacteria that reside there. You can use a Neti pot to help with a cold, flu, or excess mucus or phlegm brought on by allergies. Just be sure to use water that has been boiled and insure that your Neti pot is sterile and clean for each use.
I gargle with warm salt water throughout the day whenever I am feeling exceptionally congested and I use a saline solution to sniff into my nostrils. Sometimes I will simply apply it with my finger and then sniff to draw it into the nasal cavities. Get a flu shot. It really does work.
Use these natural therapies to your advantage. Keep in mind that honey is a natural antibacterial. Salt will kill germs and bacteria. You can sip a hot honey drink to get honey's full health benefits and you can simply breathe in the steam from a boiling salt water infusion. Placing salt and boiling water into a bowl creates a steamy solution. You have only to pop a towel over your head and then lean over it to take advantage of its steamy benefits.
A proper diet always helps to improve a person's immune system and health, so eating responsibly can be a tremendous health aid. In your diet, try to avoid a lot of red meats, dairy products, or grains such as wheat which might trigger an attack excess secretions. Vitamins that help to prevent mucus buildup include vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and cod liver oil, so include them into your supplement program.
Rest is important for recovery from the flu. Take it easy but don't allow fluids to pool in your lungs.
Often it is allergens or pollutants that are the root cause of a persistent cough. Your sinuses plug up and then they drain. This occurs on a continuous basis causing an excess mucus and phlegm problem. All this additional mucous generally winds up pooling in the lungs. Cigarette smoke, plant pollens, household pollutants such as paint, cleaning fluids, cat dander, dust mites, or mold can all contribute. A mucus attack can also begin if you are exposed to excess dust out of doors, or to smoke, and its accompanying particles from a campfire or forest fire.
Small wood dust particulate if you are sanding or standing near someone who is can also trigger an excess phlegm attack to occur. In an attempt to rid itself of the small particles, your body will produce extra mucus to catch and maintain this material so it can be flushed from the body with the next cough or sneeze. Too much exposure to these small particulates will lead to your body producing excess mucus.
A treadmill enables you to continue exercising even when it is too cold to walk outside during those long winter months. They are also nice to have to jump onto throughout the day. Every few extra steps helps so don't think that five minutes here or there isn't sufficient to make a difference. It all aids in building up your stamina, clearing your lungs of mucus, and making them as well as your heart much stronger. The more fit you are, then the more ability you will have to fight off a lung infection.
Know what your triggers are. The triggers which lead to a persistent cough or excess fluid in the lungs must be known if the attacks themselves are to be stopped. Being exposed to small particulate can be very dangerous so I try to avoid this trigger as much as I am able to. I have an illness which weakens my muscles, thereby causing me to have shallow breathing. I often do not breathe deeply enough to reach the bottom of my lungs. I know what my triggers are and I avoid them as much as I am able to. Discover what yours are then remove, eliminate, or avoid them as much as you are able to. This will stop your body from having to protect itself by producing excess mucus.
Laughter can help clear your lung congestion. A good laugh will not only help to clear the mucus from your lungs, but it will also release endorphins and these will help to make you feel better. Endorphins are the body's natural painkiller, and they are released when you exercise, smile, laugh, or participate in any other pleasurable activities. So find any reason that you can to laugh and have a really great chuckle, it's good for you.