Airway Clearance Therapy
Airway clearance therapy is a vital treatment for individuals with chronic lung conditions, designed to help clear mucus from the airways and improve breathing. By using various techniques and devices, it promotes better lung function, reduces the risk of infections, and enhances overall respiratory health.
Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) devices help clear mucus by creating mild pressure during exhalation, keeping airways open and moving mucus out of the lungs. They are beneficial for conditions like bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. The PEP-S device is widely used in Australia and New Zealand, as it allows for the addition of mucolytic medication to further break down thick mucus and improve airway clearance.
Positive Expiratory Pressure Devices (PEP)
Oscillating Positive Expiratory Devices (OPEP)
Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP) therapy involves breathing through devices like Aerobika, Acapella, and Flutter, which create airway vibrations and positive pressure during exhalation. These vibrations help loosen mucus from the airway walls, making it easier to clear and improving breathing.
Breathing Cycles
Active Cycle of Breathing (ACBT): The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique is a simple, cost-efficient, and easy-to-incorporate method that combines deep breathing, relaxed breathing, and huffing to help clear mucus from the lungs. It is a timely and effective technique that can be used anywhere to support better lung health and airway clearance.
Autogenic Drainage (AD): Autogenic Drainage is a breathing technique that helps clear mucus from the lungs by adjusting how deeply and quickly you breathe. By using different breath sizes, you can loosen and move mucus without causing wheezing or blocking your airways. This technique makes it easier to clear your lungs and breathe more comfortably.
Manual Techniques
Manual techniques for airway clearance involve hands-on methods to help loosen and move mucus from the lungs. Techniques such as chest percussion, vibration, and postural drainage assist in guiding mucus toward the larger airways for easier clearance. These approaches are often combined with other therapies to improve lung function and breathing.
Positioning
Positioning is essential for airway clearance, using gravity to help drain mucus from the lungs. By adjusting the body, mucus moves toward the larger airways, where it can be cleared through coughing or huffing. Modified gravity-assisted postures, combined with breathing techniques and manual therapy, effectively improve mucus clearance and lung function.
