What is the purpose of postural drainage?

Postural drainage sounds complicated, but it's really just a way to use gravity to drain mucus out of your lungs by changing positions. It's used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, as well as temporary infections, such as pneumonia.

Thereof, when should postural drainage be performed?

The best time to do postural drainage is either before a meal or an hour and a half after a meal, when your stomach is emptiest. Use one of the following positions: Sitting.

Furthermore, what is modified postural drainage? Modified Gravity Assisted Drainage and Positioning for Children. What is the technique? Gravity assisted drainage (GAD) involves placing the patient in a position that allows gravity to assist the drainage of excess secretions from the airways to the point where they can be coughed or huffed out and expectorated.

Also asked, how does mucus drain from lungs?

When mucus collects in your lungs, it increases your risk for lung infections. Postural drainage uses gravity to help drain mucus into the mouth by placing the body in specific positions. Each position drains different areas (lobes) of the lung. The mucus can then be spit or coughed out.

What is the fastest way to get mucus out of your lungs?

Taking the following actions can help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm:

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

37 Related Question Answers Found

Does hitting your chest break up mucus?

Controlled coughing comes from deep in your lungs. It loosens mucus and moves it though your airways. It is best to do it after you use your inhaler or other medicine.

How do you get rid of drainage in your chest?

There are three things you can do to clear your lungs:

Controlled coughing. This type of coughing comes from deep in your lungs.
Postural drainage. You lie down in different positions to help drain mucus from your lungs.
Chest percussion. You lightly tap your chest and back.

How do you do autogenic drainage?

To begin autogenic drainage (AD), sit in a relaxed seated position with your neck extended slightly. Blow your nose and huff cough to clear your upper airways of mucus.

Take in a normal sized breath.
Hold the breath for three seconds.
With some gentle force exhale all of the air out of your lungs.
Repeat three times.

Does patting back help coughing?

Raising arms when someone coughs might actually make the situation more dangerous. Pat a child's back when they're coughing. Remember, coughing isn't choking. Patting a child's back when they cough might cause the offending food to fall into the airway and block airflow.

Will Hanging Upside Down help chest congestion?

Postural drainage

You don't have to hang upside down like a bat - just lying for 15-20 mins on each side will let anything that's able to pour downhill reach the central airways and you can cough it up. This may not help all the time, but can help when their phlegm is a bit runnier.

What is autogenic drainage?

Autogenic drainage (AD) is an airway clearance technique which utilises controlled breathing at different lung volumes to loosen, mobilise and move secretions in three stages towards the larger central airways (Fig 1).

How can I clean my lungs?

Ways to clear the lungs

Steam therapy. Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus.
Controlled coughing.
Drain mucus from the lungs.
Exercise.
Green tea.
Anti-inflammatory foods.
Chest percussion.

How do you cough up Flem stuck in your throat?

How to get rid of phlegm and mucus

Keeping the air moist.
Drinking plenty of fluids.
Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face.
Keeping the head elevated.
Not suppressing a cough.
Discreetly getting rid of phlegm.
Using a saline nasal spray or rinse.
Gargling with salt water.

What is percussion treatment?

Percussion is a manual technique used by respiratory physiotherapists to help aid the clearance of secretions. Chest percussion is usually used in combination with active cycle breathing techniques, or coupled with positioning in those who are unable to actively participate in active controlled breathing exercises.

How do you do chest percussion?

Chest percussion should only be done in specific areas: Over the ribs. On the sides of the chest. On the sides of the back.

During Therapy

Seated.
On your back with a pillow under your chest, so that your head tilts downward.
On your stomach, also with your head tilted downward.

What is chest percussion and postural drainage?

Chest physical therapy (CPT), or postural drainage and percussion (PD & P), uses gravity and percussion (clapping on the chest and/or back) to loosen the thick, sticky mucus in the lungs so it can be removed by coughing. Unclogging the airways is key to keeping lungs healthy.

How can you tell the difference between a bad cold and pneumonia?

Pneumonia vs.

You might be feeling better, but then you start getting symptoms again -- and this time, they can be a lot worse. Cold symptoms tend to start slowly. You're more likely to sneeze and have a runny nose and sore throat than with either the flu or pneumonia. Colds don't usually cause a fever in adults.

What is chest percussion therapy?

Chest physical therapy (CPT or Chest PT) is an airway clearance technique (ACT) to drain the lungs, and may include percussion (clapping), vibration, deep breathing, and huffing or coughing.

What is the best position for pneumonia?

The aspirate from the stomach can go back down the trachea and into the lungs causing aspiration pneumonia. Right-side Lying: A position of the body in which the individual is lying down on his/her right side. Supine: A position of the body in which the individual is lying down with the face up.

How can I clean my lungs after smoking?

Avoid coffee and highly caffeinated teas or sodas. Drink lots of water instead. Green tea is caffeinated, but also is very antioxidant rich, and thus might be beneficial for lung pain after quitting smoking. Antioxidants can help clear toxins from throughout the body including the lungs.

How do you get food out of your lungs?

When you breathe, air enters your mouth and moves into the pharynx. The air then goes down into your main airway (trachea) and into your lungs. A flap of tissue called the epiglottis sits over the top of the trachea. This flap blocks food and drink from going down into the trachea when you swallow.

Can mucus be removed from the lungs?

There are several OTC medications that can help clear excess mucus from your lungs. Expectorants are usually available without a prescription, although some combination expectorants may contain ingredients that require one. These medications thin mucus by lubricating it, so that it can be easily coughed up.