Keep the room airy and adjust it to the right temperature and humidity. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration of the patient leading to concentrated and sticky sputum that cannot be easily coughed up.
Use steam inhalation and oxygen pressure nebulised inhalation to moisten the airways.
Steam inhalation (holding half a cup of hot water, placing the mouth and nose over the mouth of the cup and inhaling the hot water vapour vigorously to help dilute the sputum, but beware of hot water burns) warms and moistens the area.
Promoting blood circulation in the respiratory tract.
relaxing the smooth muscles of the trachea.
dilating the airways.
diluting and liquefying the mucous membrane secretions of the trachea.
Sputum is easily coughed up.
Patting the back to expel sputum.
Tapping the back with five fingers together.
From bottom to top.
From the edges to the middle.
Patting the back in a rhythmic manner.
The force should be moderate.
For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, herbal compresses combined with ear acupuncture can effectively improve cough and sputum symptoms. Follow the doctor’s advice on the rational use of expectorant medicines.