How to dilute phlegm in the bronchi: the most effective remedies. Regulation of sputum secretion

Everyone knows that a cough can be dry or wet. As a rule, at the very beginning, the cough has a dry, barking character. As the patient's condition stabilizes, the cough becomes moist, while the person coughs up sputum.

Sputum forms in the lungs, bronchi and trachea. It is a kind of mucus that the body produces in response to a virus, bacterium or infection. In serious diseases with an acute course, pus, blood, and even particles of lung tissue may be present in the sputum. The color, density and amount of sputum may indicate certain diseases. Sputum is also an excellent diagnostic material. It is examined in laboratories to learn about the causative agents of the disease.

However, more often than not, coughing up sputum is a consequence of a common respiratory illness, which is often treated at home. In general, the body has special capabilities, with the help of which the respiratory organs are independently able to remove phlegm. Namely, these are the smallest cilia on the mucous membrane of the lungs. With sudden respiratory movements, they lift the viscous phlegm upward. But often the body can not cope with the excretion of phlegm and needs help.

Medicated sputum removal

If you want to get rid of phlegm quickly and effectively, you can use medicated expectorants. Most of them are presented on the pharmaceutical market in the form of a syrup, since this dosage form is most effective in treating cough. In addition, when it comes to treating children, they cannot swallow pills, at least for the first few years of life.

Before starting treatment, it is very important to recognize the nature of the cough present. Because among the drugs you can find expectorants and antitussives. Cough suppressants can be used for dry, barking coughs. They are prescribed in the absence of phlegm in the lungs, for example, if the cough is allergic. The principle of action of antitussives is a simple suppression of the cough reflex. In no case should they be prescribed for a wet cough, when there is phlegm in the lungs. Otherwise, blocking the reflex will lead to the phlegm remaining in the lungs, you simply cannot get it out.

Among the cough suppressants, Mukaltin, ACC, Codelak, Thermopsol, Ambroxol, Herbion, Bromhexin can be distinguished. Each of these medicines is made on the basis of medicinal infusions and decoctions. Therefore, it is sometimes more effective and safer to use prescriptions for home medicine.

Many herbs and plants have antimicrobial, expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. We have collected the most useful and effective recipes that will help you say goodbye to phlegm forever in no time.

  1. Black radish. The juice from this root vegetable is one of the most effective ways to get rid of phlegm in your lungs. You can simply grate the black radish, but the next tip is best. Cut off the top of the radish, make a large depression in the root vegetable. Pour honey inside and leave the radish in this position for several hours. When the radish has juiced, the inner honey can be drained into a separate bowl. Drink a teaspoon three times a day before meals. After the first day of treatment with this folk remedy, you will notice a significant improvement in sputum discharge. This remedy is absolutely safe for children - kids are happy to drink such a delicious and sweet medicine.
  2. Licorice, chamomile, sage. This is a wonderful herbal remedy for coughs. Take a clean, dry, and crushed licorice root. Put two tablespoons of licorice root and the same amount of chamomile and sage into a thermos. Pour two liters of boiling water over and leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, strain the broth and drink half a glass twice a day. Licorice perfectly removes phlegm, chamomile relieves swelling and redness. Sage has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
  3. Thyme. This popular spice has a pronounced antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties. Brew tea and add a pinch of thyme to the teapot along with the tea. After this tea, you will have a cough - but do not worry. On the contrary, by activating the reflex, you will be able to remove phlegm outside as soon as possible.
  4. Mother and stepmother and ivy. These plants are excellent at fighting cough and phlegm. Mother and stepmother removes mucus from the lungs and relieves sore throat. But ivy is able to fight the virus itself, suppressing it. Prepare a strong decoction from the leaves of these plants and drink half a glass twice a day.
  5. Oat milk. A glass of oatmeal should be boiled in a large amount of milk. However, keep an eye on the proportions - you should end up with a liquid substance, not porridge. After boiling for half an hour, strain the composition and drink warm coffee-colored milk in a glass in the morning on an empty stomach. After a couple of days, you will notice an improvement.

These simple yet effective and time-tested methods can help you clear mucus from your lungs without much difficulty.

In addition to infusions, decoctions and syrups, phlegm can be removed using alternative methods.

  1. Massage. It is especially effective for young children when overdosing on medications is undesirable. The correct technique for performing a massage to remove phlegm is as follows. The baby can stand or lie on its stomach. The edge of the palm should be tapped on his back in the area of ​​the lungs - on the right and left sides. You need to knock, as it were, from the bottom up, along the path of excretion of sputum. The blows should be moderately strong, but not painful - the child should not cry. The massage can be done several times a day.
  2. Breathing exercises. The phlegm can be removed with special breathing exercises. Inhale the air and hold it for a few seconds. Then exhale for a long time. Repeat the exercise 10 times. The next exercise is to breathe in once, and blow out the air in two exhalations. Next, we inhale the air in three counts, and exhale in small portions for 7-8 counts. The last exercise - inhale more air and exhale it, saying the letter "O" until the lungs are completely empty. Each exercise should be done at least 10 times. If you have a cough while exercising, stop, cough, and continue with your gymnastics.
  3. Inhalation. Inhalation is a great way to heal your lungs from the inside out. Hot air with phytoncides disinfects the mucous membrane of the lungs, warms up the respiratory organs, and promotes the excretion of sputum. Eucalyptus oil is very effective against cough and phlegm. Pour a teaspoon of oil into a bowl of hot water, cover with a towel and inhale the vapors deeply.

Sputum causes a lot of inconvenience, so you need to fight cough at the very beginning of its development. All home treatments and phlegm removal can only be used after consulting a doctor. Indeed, with purulent inflammation, many procedures are prohibited. Take care of your health and do not start a cough!

Video: treatment of sputum in the bronchi with folk remedies

Many pathologies of the respiratory system are accompanied by a cough. At first, it is dry in nature, then it becomes wet. At this stage, a fair question arises of how to remove phlegm from the bronchi. For this, doctors prescribe special medications.

Mucus in the bronchi - a norm or a pathology?

Every person has a constant production of mucus in the bronchi. It is required to protect the respiratory organs from germs and dust particles. The secretion produced contains elements of the immune system.

From the inside, the bronchi are covered with cilia. It is they who push the secret out of the respiratory organs. This is a normal phenomenon that occurs in the body of all people.

With the development of pathological processes, the amount of sputum increases significantly. In this case, the nature of the secret is different - vitreous, serous, mucous, bloody or purulent-mucous.

The main causes of excess mucus production include the following:

  • bronchitis;
  • asthma;
  • flu.

This is not a complete list of possible factors. The color of the secret will help to make an accurate diagnosis. Sputum in the bronchi may have the following appearance:

  • contain particles of certain beverages, such as coffee or wine;
  • include thin bloody fibers - characteristic of lung cancer, which is of the bronchogenic type;
  • have a yellowish or green color, sometimes with bloody impurities - characteristic of influenza and bronchitis;
  • have a bright yellow tint - if an increased volume of eosinophils is contained in the bronchial secretion, asthma is diagnosed;
  • be rusty - typical for croupous pneumonia;
  • have a black color - observed in pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of coal particles.

How to get rid of excess secretion in the bronchi? For this, the following is recommended:

  • Contact a specialist who will diagnose and determine the reasons for the formation of a large amount of sputum.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Due to this, it will be possible to reduce the viscosity of the secretion and accelerate its excretion from the respiratory system. Drinks need to be warmed up. It is advisable to use alkaline liquids - mineral water or warm milk with soda. Excellent results can be achieved with herbal infusions.
  • Maintain indoor humidity. For this purpose, you can use a special device - a humidifier. If it is absent, it is worth hanging a damp cloth on the batteries.
  • Perform postural bronchial drainage. It involves carrying out exercises to cleanse the respiratory system from liquid secretions.

Classification of medications

Excessive accumulation of sputum in the bronchi is evidenced by a cough. If it is wet, drugs are prescribed that thin the phlegm - mucolytics and expectorant drugs. They make the secret more fluid and ensure its movement into the upper respiratory system.

Such drugs can have a different principle of action:

  • Means of reflex action. They lead to irritation of the stomach lining and cough centers in the brain. As a result, the functioning of the glands, which synthesize bronchial secretions, is activated. Such funds increase the peristalsis of the bronchi, which entails the excretion of sputum from the body. This group includes medicines with marshmallow, thermopsis and licorice.
  • Drugs that have a direct effect on bronchial receptors. Due to the constant stimulation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, an increased production of secretions is observed.
  • Mucolytics. Such funds are used for diseases of the respiratory system, which are accompanied by the synthesis of thick secretions, leading to blockage of the bronchi.
  • Bronchodilators. Such drugs help to expand the lumen of the bronchi and eliminate bronchospasm. This allows you to speed up the excretion of thick and thin sputum. Such remedies help with the spastic cough that accompanies allergic bronchitis and asthma.

Review of effective drugs

To ensure effective liquefaction of sputum, you need to choose the right medication. This can only be done by the attending physician, taking into account the form and stage of the disease, the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Synthetic drugs, which have many contraindications, are most effective. In simple cases, herbal preparations and folk remedies are enough.

Bromhexine


This is an effective drug that belongs to the category of mucolytics. It is prescribed for tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis, spastic form of bronchitis. This substance is considered an analogue of an effective plant element - vazicin, which helps to liquefy and remove secretions. In the human body, bromhexine enters the bloodstream and undergoes a number of reactions. As a result, it is transformed into ambroxol.

The medicine is produced in different forms - in the form of tablets, drops for inhalation and syrup. The activity of the drug occurs approximately one day after the start of therapy.

Thanks to the use of the agent, it is possible to reduce the viscosity of the secretion, enhance the functioning of the ciliated epithelium, increase the amount of sputum and stimulate its excretion. Bromhexine stabilizes the work of the alveoli during breathing. This effect is achieved through the synthesis of a pulmonary surfactant.

In this case, the substance can provoke unwanted side effects. These include allergic reactions and dyspeptic symptoms.

Ambroxol


This medicine helps to protect the mucous membranes of the respiratory system from external influences. This tool is actively used in medical practice. Due to the action of the agent, it is possible to activate the mobility of the villi of the ciliated epithelium.

Also, the drug normalizes mucociliary transport. This makes the secret less viscous. Due to the increased production of surfactant, it is possible to protect cells from the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms.

Ambroxol is classified as a metabolite of bromhexine. The medicine has the same characteristics. It produces a pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. Often, a medicine is prescribed for prophylaxis before and after surgery.

For adults, Ambroxol is prescribed in tablet form. Children are usually given the drug in the form of a syrup. In this case, it is important to choose the right dosage.

Acetylcysteine

This substance is the active ingredient in ACC and other similar products. It belongs to the effective mucolytics that help to liquefy the viscous secretion of the bronchi and help remove it from the body.

ACC is prescribed for infectious lesions of the respiratory system, which are accompanied by the production of thick secretions. These include laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis. Quite often, such funds are used for sinusitis, runny nose and otitis media. Often, acetylcysteine ​​is used to treat a cold cough. The drug can be part of the complex therapy of complex pathologies - tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, etc.

This medicine is produced in the form of powder and dissolving tablets. It is important to take into account that the drug is capable of provoking unwanted reactions. They manifest themselves in the form of allergies, bronchospasm, shortness of breath.

Carbocisteine

This remedy is also an effective mucolytic that has a bronchosecretolytic effect. Thanks to the use of the substance, it is possible to achieve liquefaction, splitting and dissolution of thick secretions. Also, this drug helps to slow down the process of its synthesis.

Carbocisteine ​​is the active ingredient in many well-known drugs. These include mucosol, libeksin muko and many others. Such funds help to normalize the state of the mucous membranes and activate the processes of their recovery.

It is important to take into account that such medications do not cause bronchospasm. Therefore, they are considered more harmless than ACC. Literally the next day after the start of therapy, it is possible to achieve the normalization of sputum excretion from the respiratory system. This makes breathing easier and coughs easier.

Combined expectorant drugs

This category includes potent substances that must be used according to strict indications and prescriptions of a doctor. The most common representatives of this category include ascoril.... It provides excellent performance and rapid healing effect. It is important to take into account the large list of contraindications and adverse reactions.

Another remedy in this category is codelac broncho. The drug is produced in various dosage forms - in the form of syrup, tablets, elixir. The syrup is usually prescribed for children at the appropriate age-appropriate dosage. With its help, it is possible to reduce the viscosity of the secretion, improve its excretion, suppress the cough reflex and stop inflammation in the organs of the respiratory system.

Contraindications

Strong drugs have many contraindications. It is forbidden to prescribe them for pregnant and lactating women, as well as for children under 3 years old. In addition, contraindications include the following:

  • pathology of the digestive system and excretory system;
  • peptic ulcer;
  • failure of the kidneys and liver;
  • diabetes;
  • glaucoma;
  • thyrotoxicosis;
  • some cardiovascular pathologies - aortic stenosis, myocarditis, tachyarrhythmia.

Medicines for removing phlegm from the bronchi are highly effective. Today, there are many useful medications that can produce excellent results. At the same time, it is very important to strictly follow all medical recommendations and take into account contraindications to such therapy.

The process of removing mucus from the body can be very long. It depends on the general state of health of the child or adult, what the symptoms are, the reasons, what remedies were used before. In order for the cleansing to be maximum, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules and then how to get rid of phlegm in the bronchi will not be an unsolved problem. The most popular advice for those who do not know how to clear phlegm from the bronchi further.

For a successful start of fluid discharge from the bronchial region (especially if it is viscous), you need to consult a family doctor or a specialized specialist. He will help to approve a specific diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, medications and additional medications, depending on what the symptoms of this process are in the child or adult.

It is important to remember that cleansing will be complete if:

  1. Drink more fluids. It is necessary in order for the phlegm in the bronchi to liquefy. Water is a universal medicine that stops the formation of many
    diseases. It is water that influences the causes and symptoms, making negative manifestations less active.
  2. The drink will be extremely warm. Its alkaline component is important. So, we are talking about warm milk with the addition of soda or plain mineral water. Treatment will also be successful when using herbal infusions, which will thin the mucus in the bronchial area.
  3. Room humidification will be provided. This is important not only for the child, but also for the adult. Humidifiers can be used to stop mucus formation. Patients use one more method: they hang wet towels or just clothes on heating radiators.

Special exercises

In order to get rid of fluid in the bronchial area, you can carry out special exercises. Such treatment will not be complete if you do not use thinning drugs, as well as other means and medications. However, the complex of the presented measures guarantees 100% outputting characteristics.

The technique recommended by otorhinolaryngologists is called postural drainage. The phlegm in the bronchi, when used, disappears after 5-6 sessions. It is shown that at least 2 exercises are performed daily in order for the treatment and drugs to be effective:

All about steam inhalation

Treatment of pathology with steam inhalation is another effective remedy. Its advantage is that it eliminates not only the symptoms, but also the factors for the development of the disease. Also, the use of inhalations is autonomous and can completely eliminate the need to use folk remedies, use special drugs.

Steam activates the outflow of blood and lymph in the area of ​​the respiratory organs, which allows you to get rid of phlegm. At home, you can use the following inhalers and drugs:

What you need to know about expectorant ingredients

Expectorants help thin phlegm and speed up its removal from the respiratory tract. The presented means are associated with different principles of action, despite the fact that they provide 100% of the treatment. We are talking about a reflex effect, that is, on the gastric region, bronchial glands. The latter makes it possible to increase the rate of mucus secretion.

Reflex components include the root of marshmallow and licorice, thermopsis and thyme herb. If we talk about a direct effect, then it is characterized by an effect on the phlegm itself and the bronchi, which provides treatment and alleviates all symptoms. The presented group includes mucolytics, essential oils and other drugs.

Such remedies are prescribed for diseases that are accompanied by a wet cough, as well as the release of thick sputum. This is true even for a child with acute and chronic type of bronchitis, asthma and other similar diseases. At home, plants such as are often used:

  • black radish (juice is mixed with natural honey);
  • coltsfoot;
  • St. John's wort;
  • ivy;
  • the root part of the marshmallow;
  • sea ​​buckthorn berries.

If you quickly remove all the phlegm, then the bronchial region is very easily cleared and we can talk about recovery.

Therefore, in order to know how to remove phlegm from the bronchi, it will be enough to remember simple rules and recommendations. Strict adherence to them and periodic consultations with a doctor are important. This is what will help to achieve a quick recovery without the likelihood of relapses and complications.

Childhood coughing up phlegm is a serious cause for concern for any mother, especially when it comes to the baby. The immune system of the newborn is not strong enough, therefore, new parents should be extremely careful about the treatment of diseases, the symptom of which is the formation of mucus and cough.

And even after the end of infancy, it is much more difficult for a baby, in comparison with adult family members, to remove mucus from the lungs and bronchi. This is explained by the fact that the baby's internal organs are not yet fully developed.

Today, there are a lot of ways that you can save a child from a wet cough with phlegm. These are numerous techniques of folk and traditional medicine that can be used in combination.

However, before proceeding to treatment, one should understand the causes of the appearance of sputum.

Causes of excess mucus

There are three of the most common childhood illnesses, accompanied by the abundant appearance of mucus.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia, called pneumonia, is a disease caused by organisms that attack the lungs. The inflammatory process can occur in one or two lungs at once. In the overwhelming majority of cases, untreated or untreated bronchitis becomes the cause of the appearance.

Bronchial asthma

This disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the respiratory system, which causes an increase in the reactivity of the bronchi. Asthma is diagnosed quite often in children. One of the requirements for monitoring the baby's condition is the timely disposal of the resulting sputum.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an ailment characterized by inflammatory processes in the bronchi. It can be called one of the most common diseases associated with the respiratory system of babies.

And the main symptom of chronic and acute childhood bronchitis is precisely profuse sputum.

How to help your baby get rid of mucus: folk remedies

If a baby coughs profuse mucus, the parent should know how to behave correctly. Remember, in no case should you force to cough up accumulated mucus.

Mom should try to distract the child, which can be done with a sugar cube with two drops of peppermint infusion or peppermint candy. The action of mint will muffle coughs and also make breathing easier.

It often happens that the phlegm formed from the bronchi or lungs thickens. This makes it difficult for her to cough up. Noticing that the child cannot clear his throat, parents should help thin the mucus in order to speed up its excretion.

Honey with onions or radishes

The most effective product used in traditional medicine for removing mucus is honey, which can be mixed with nut mixture or cranberry juice.

The use of honey with the addition of radish or onion juice also dilutes phlegm well. To get the juice, you need to rub the radish (onion) on a fine grater and squeeze the resulting gruel through thick gauze.

Milk with figs

An excellent "grandmother's" remedy is hot milk with the addition of grated figs. The resulting composition must be given to the child twice a day in a glass.

To improve the well-being of the baby before bedtime, you can offer him a glass of water with two drops of iodine.

Garlic milk

Cow's (natural) milk also helps to cope faster with phlegm. You can drink it neat, without additives, but warmed up. Mashed garlic significantly increases the effectiveness of warm milk.

For one liter of milk, grate or crush five cloves of garlic with a garlic press. The baby should drink the resulting mixture in one day.

Inhalation

Drugs that enter the body through inhalation are also considered effective. The speed of action of inhalation agents is explained by the fact that the drug penetrates precisely at the place of formation of the focus of infection.

If the baby is already 2 years old, you can safely use inhalation in the fight against sputum.

Features of the procedure

This event implies compliance with some rules:

  • one of the parents must be nearby throughout the entire procedure;
  • you can start inhalation only 10 minutes after the water boils, since it should cool down a little;
  • the total duration of inhalation cannot exceed 5 minutes;
  • after the procedure, the baby should not inhale cold air. It is best to provide him with bed rest.

Water with honey

Means for inhalation of a child do not have to be purchased at the pharmacy, they can be prepared at home. The most common recipe is when water and honey are mixed in a five to one ratio.

The baby must be seated so that his face is above a bowl with a solution heated to 45 degrees, and covered with a blanket. It is best if the mother will do the inhalation directly with the child, teach him to breathe alternately through the mouth and nose.

It is forbidden to heat the product more strongly, since the healing properties of honey will be lost.

Alkaline mineral water

If expectoration is very difficult, you can inhale the child using alkaline mineral water. Before a therapy session, you need to open the water with mineral water so that the gas will escape.

For a liter of boiled water, 4 tablespoons of mineral are taken. A remedy with a similar composition allows you to quickly get rid of phlegm, which is not only in the child's throat, but also in the bronchi and lungs.

Herbal infusions

In addition, modern mothers often use herbal infusions for this purpose. So, the liquefaction of mucus is facilitated by inhalation with chamomile, concentrated infusion of mint, eucalyptus leaves, dry birch leaves, and also sage.

These funds not only facilitate expectoration, but also soothe the nasopharyngeal mucosa.

Onion and garlic juices

If the child complains of sore throat or chest pain, the parent can inhale squeezed onion juice or garlic gruel. Boiled water is mixed with juice in a ratio of one to 10.

How to speed up the excretion of mucus in babies?

Massage for babies

Children who are under 1 year old find it difficult to offer any of the above means. Therefore, if a baby has a wet cough, it is best to speed up the removal of mucus with a special massage.

The procedure will not take much time, it will only take about 10 minutes. Before starting a massage, the baby must be given a medication, the action of which is aimed at thinning mucus (it must be prescribed by a doctor).

Massaging can be turned into an exciting game; during the process, the mother should talk to the child so that he can get distracted and get the maximum of positive emotions from the massage.

How to do it?

The massage technique is quite simple. The crumb must be put on his stomach and thoroughly rub the entire surface of the back, including the lower back and shoulders. When the skin turns a little red, the ribs of the palms need to lightly tap the ribs.

Mild tingling will also help. At the end of the session, it is necessary to press on the child's back with fists, without touching the spine.

In most cases, immediately after the session, the body rejects phlegm, the child begins to cough it up from the bronchi and throat. When the baby clears his throat, he must be turned over on his back. The chest is not massaged. It is enough to lightly stroke the baby from the navel to the collarbones without touching the heart area.

Traditional methods: chamomile tea and compresses

So, in order to facilitate expectoration in a child under one year old, he can make tea from chamomile flowers and make compresses from mustard. To prepare a mixture for a compress, mom will need 1 spoonful of honey, flour, vegetable oil, mustard.

The resulting composition is brought to a boil, cooled to a warm state and placed on a piece of thick gauze, which is placed on the baby's chest. Mom should be extremely careful, it is forbidden to put such bandages on the heart area. The procedure is best done at bedtime.

For warming up in the form of compresses, you can also use potatoes that have been boiled in their uniforms, or cabbage leaves smeared with honey. It is important to remember that any of the compresses should not touch the area of ​​the chest where the heart is located.

Do not forget about the need to drink plenty of fluids. In case of illness of the baby, rosehip decoctions, as well as all kinds of fruit drinks, will help.

The infant is susceptible to external factors affecting him. Therefore, the most favorable climate should be created in the room. The air must be humidified without fail. For this purpose, towels soaked in water can be spread out on batteries.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of wet cough

Very often, when removing sputum from a child, it is impossible to do exclusively with folk remedies. Therefore, if the baby chokes on a cough and suffocates, the doctor prescribes medication for him.

Cough syrups

For the treatment of a child under two years of age and older, you can use Ambroxol, which is produced in the form of a syrup. The liquid consistency makes it easier to take the medicine, because babies still cannot swallow pills.

Lazolvan is also considered a popular medicine, which modern parents use for inhalation. In the form of syrups, drugs are also available called Bromhexine.

It is important to remember that it is impossible to treat a child's cough without prior medical advice. Only a pediatrician can prescribe treatments that will be successful.

When is urgent medical attention required?

The main parental concern in the treatment of wet cough is to monitor the color and consistency of mucus. And if the sputum began to come out yellow-green, it means that pathogenic microbes have joined the process.

In this case, the child may develop a serious illness with complications, therefore, it must be immediately shown to a doctor. Most pediatricians will prescribe antibiotics based on the examination.

After using the prescribed drug, the baby's symptoms often disappear after three days, however, it is necessary to continue treatment exactly as long as it was prescribed.

Sputum in the bronchi is excreted regularly, but in small quantities. It allows you to cleanse the bronchi from dust, dirt, microbes. The phlegm is constantly excreted. If there is a failure in the immune system, an inflammatory process appears, or there is exposure to tobacco smoke, the amount of viscous sputum begins to actively increase. It must be liquefied and removed, since the accumulation and stagnation of phlegm in the bronchi creates favorable conditions for the multiplication of bacteria.

Sputum is essential for the elimination of germs from the lungs. During the disease, the amount of sputum increases significantly, a reflex cough occurs, which provokes a contraction of the smooth muscles of the lungs and pushes out phlegm and bronchi. If the phlegm is too viscous, it won't help push it out. become excruciating, and phlegm continues to accumulate in the lungs. In these cases, you need to look for ways to thin the phlegm in the bronchi.

The main symptom of sputum accumulation is coughing. Due to the large accumulation of phlegm and the multiplication of viruses, bacteria, the temperature may rise. When coughing up, the phlegm is mixed with saliva and nasal discharge.

The causes of sputum in the bronchi are usually various diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Depending on the causes of the occurrence, sputum can be transparent mucous, serous, purulent, mixed with blood. It is formed in the following diseases and conditions:

  • Bronchial asthma. This is a chronic disease in which shortness of breath, severe coughing and often suffocation attacks occur. In asthma, a clear, but thick enough sputum is secreted, the discharge of which is often difficult.
  • Pulmonary edema. This is a very dangerous condition in which the amount of accumulated fluid and phlegm in the lungs exceeds the permissible level. Acute edema can be fatal and requires immediate medical attention. At the same time, the sputum is released foamy, with impurities of blood.
  • ... With inflammation of the bronchi, sputum begins to be actively secreted, causing even more inflammation. With the bacterial nature of bronchitis, sputum is released yellowish-green, sometimes with impurities of blood.
  • Pneumonia. In pneumonia, the sputum often contains particles of pus. Inflammation of the lungs is usually of an infectious bacterial nature, accompanied by a cough and high body temperature.

The reason for the accumulation of sputum may be simple, but in this case, the sputum is excreted without much difficulty and has a transparent appearance.

Medication and antibiotics

Treatment, as a rule, is complex, includes drugs to remove sputum, to combat the causative agent of the disease, to maintain immunity. Often, drug treatment is accompanied by traditional methods of thinning sputum.

Types of medicines:

  • Antibiotics Antibiotics are prescribed for bronchitis, pneumonia and, in some cases, for influenza, when there is a risk of complications. Antibacterial drugs are effective only against bacteria, they are useless with a viral infection. Antibiotics do not have an expectorant or antitussive effect, but they act on the very cause of the disease. The first improvements can be observed already on the 3rd day of antibiotic therapy. For diseases of the respiratory tract, Ciprofloxacin is usually prescribed.
  • Mucolytics. These are drugs that thin phlegm, which greatly facilitates its excretion. For mucolytic drugs include Ambrohexal. Some drugs have a complex effect: they thin phlegm and enhance the work of the ciliated epithelium, which allows you to push mucus out of the bronchi.
  • Expectorant drugs. Expectorants enhance the work of the smooth muscles of the lungs and cilia of the ciliated epithelium, which allows you to push phlegm out of the bronchi. Expectorant drugs include Bromhexin, Thermopsol,. After taking these drugs, the cough may worsen, as this is a reflex reaction of the body to pushing out sputum.
  • Antiviral drugs. They are prescribed for flu, colds. Drugs such as Kagocel, Arbidol, Rimantadin, Ergoferon destroy viruses that cause disease, block their reproduction. Against the background of antiviral drugs, the disease proceeds easier and faster, but they do not have a direct effect on sputum and bronchi.

Folk recipes for removing phlegm

Traditional methods of liquefying and removing phlegm can be very effective, especially in the early stages of the disease. Usually, traditional medicine recipes are recommended to be used in parallel with drug treatment.

It is worth remembering that some diseases such as pneumonia and pulmonary edema cannot be cured only with folk remedies. Certain herbs and bee products can cause severe allergic reactions and increase swelling.

Best recipes:

  • Radish with honey. Wash the black radish, cut out the middle like a bowl and pour liquid, slightly warmed honey there. Insist for about a day. Such a medicine perfectly relieves inflammation, helps with coughs, thins phlegm, and improves immunity.
  • Onion and garlic syrup. Finely chop fresh onions and garlic, put in a jar and sprinkle with sugar. After a while, syrup will appear, which must be filtered and drunk every day, a teaspoon after meals. This remedy is good for inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, but it is not recommended for gastritis, as it irritates the gastric mucosa.
  • Honey and aloe. Liquid honey is mixed with squeezed aloe juice in a 1: 5 ratio and taken in a teaspoon. Aloe can cause an allergic reaction, so it's best to start with small doses.
  • Decoctions of herbs. To liquefy and remove phlegm, it is recommended to take infusions and decoctions of plantain, thyme, fennel, licorice, pine buds, melilot. The herbs can be mixed or brewed separately. Most of them also have anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Pine milk. This method is considered effective and safe, and is recommended even for smoker's bronchitis. To make pine milk, you need to take 3 green pine cones and a small piece of resin and pour 0.5 liters of boiling milk. All this is infused for 2-3 hours, and then thoroughly filtered. You need to drink a glass of such a remedy in the morning and evening.

Inhalation: drugs and rules

It is difficult to imagine a more effective method of removing phlegm from the bronchi than inhalation. This procedure helps the drugs penetrate directly into the lungs, bypassing the stomach and circulatory system.

Inhalation with cold steam with the help is considered the most effective, since hot steam negatively affects the state of blood vessels and can lead to burns of the mucous membrane.

Inhalation can be done with plain or mineral water. Such procedures are safe even for young children and pregnant women at any time. Saline vapors penetrate the bronchi, thinning phlegm, and contribute to its rapid excretion.

In addition, inhalation moisturizes the mucous membrane and relieves inflammation.

If drugs are used during the inhalation procedure, their dosage is determined by the doctor, taking into account the age and condition of the patient. To thin sputum, you can use,.

In order for the inhalation procedure to be beneficial, you need to adhere to the basic rules for conducting inhalation:

  1. All drugs are used in dissolved form. A certain amount of the drug is diluted with saline, and then inhalation is carried out. Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your doctor, as this will not enhance the effect, but only lead to various side effects.
  2. Inhalations are carried out in courses of 5-10 days. It is advisable to go through the cus to the end so that the sputum comes out completely. One session lasts 5-7 minutes.
  3. Inhalation can be carried out only in the absence of a high temperature. If the temperature is above 37.3-37.5, it is better to postpone the procedure, as it can provoke an even larger jump in temperature.
  4. Before and after the inhalation procedure, you need to wipe the mask with alcohol, and rinse the medication container well with running water.
  5. Inhalation should be done one hour after and one hour before meals. It is undesirable to eat, drink, smoke, or go outside immediately after the procedure.
  6. If during the procedure it became bad, dizzy, increased, an attack of suffocation appeared, you need to interrupt the inhalations and inform the doctor about it.

Respiratory gymnastics will be useful for everyone: for lung drainage, for partial elimination of the effects of smoking, for the prevention and relief of inflammation. There are simple breathing exercises that you need to do at home three times a day. They are safe and easy to do. There is also more complex breathing exercises, which are performed with the help of a massage instructor.

To master the technique of simple breathing exercises, you need to perform the following exercises every day, 5-7 repetitions in 1 approach:

  • Sit in a chair or stand up straight. The back should be straight. Take a deep breath, and then small fractional exhalations.
  • Train your abdominal breathing as it helps your lungs work more actively. When inhaling and exhaling, try to inflate and suck in your stomach as much as possible. It will be effective to alternate between chest and abdominal breathing. The chest should also be raised as much as possible.
  • Lie on your back and place a low pillow under your head. Gently and not completely turn your head alternately in each direction, taking deep breaths and exhales.
  • Get on your knees and bend forward, taking deep breaths in and out.

In the process of gymnastics, breathing will become easier, but sputum may pass, it needs to be removed and the exercises continue.