Discussions
Discussions
Need for airway clearance if I spit up phlegm all day long
My bronchiectasis results in constant coughing and spitting up of phlegm 24/7. I feel like I have a continuous head cold. Do I still need to do airway clearance since the problem seems to be in my sinuses? I spit up a lot of mucus/phlegm all day long so I don’t want to produce even more by doing airway clearance. Please enlighten me….
Replies
Prima,
Hello! Have you discussed this with your healthcare provider, an Ear, nose and throat specialist? It sounds as if you may have a sinus infection, and be in need of antibiotics?

Hi Prima.
With your bronchiectasis diagnosis, airway clearance will be key to help you avoid flare-ups. If you have a lot of mucus production associated with your sinuses, inevitably you are going to have drainage and that drainage can go down into your lungs. I recommend you using a neti pot to help clear sinuses. Are you seeing an ENT or allergist for management of your sinuses?
In addition, you may want to think about escalating your airway clearance routine to include a type of vest to when mucus production is higher. I'll let some others chime in with ideas as well.
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