Huff Cough: A How To Guide

PrimaryChildrens

25 Sept 201802:09

Summary

TLDRThis instructional script explains the technique of 'huffing' as a method to clear mucus from the lungs. It distinguishes between low-level and high-level huffs, with the former moving mucus from smaller to larger airways, and the latter expelling it from the lungs. The process involves specific breathing patterns, holding breath, and forceful exhalation, with tips to maintain an open airway. It concludes by recommending consultation with a respiratory therapist for proper technique.

Takeaways

🎶 Coughing is the natural way of getting mucus out of the lungs.
🫁 Huffing is a gentle way of coughing.
🔄 Low-level huffing helps move mucus from the small airways to the larger airways.
⬆️ High-level huffing helps move mucus from the larger airways up and out of the lungs.
🔂 Recommended to do three low-level huffs followed by three high-level huffs to clear mucus.
😮‍💨 To perform a low-level huff, slowly inhale through your nose, hold your breath for three seconds.
📏 Holding your breath allows air to get behind the mucus while maintaining an open airway.
💨 Force the air out of your lungs using belly muscles, continuing as long as you hear airflow.
👅 Putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth or making an exaggerated 'O' with your mouth helps keep an open airway.
🔁 Repeat the low-level huff process two more times.
🌬️ For high-level huff, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose until you can't take in any more air, then sniff to take in even more air.
⏱️ Hold your breath for three seconds while maintaining an open airway.
🗣️ Perform a short, quick, and forceful exhalation.
👍 Consult with a respiratory therapist for more information and to check for proper technique.

Q & A

What is the purpose of coughing and huffing in the context of respiratory health?
-Coughing and huffing help to clear mucus from the lungs, aiding in maintaining clear airways. Coughing is a natural way of expelling mucus, while huffing is a gentler technique to achieve the same goal.
What are the two levels of huffing, and what are their purposes?
-There are low-level and high-level huffing. Low-level huffing moves mucus from the small airways lower in the lungs to the larger airways. High-level huffing helps expel mucus from the larger airways out of the lungs.
How should one perform a low-level huff?
-To perform a low-level huff, inhale slowly through your nose, hold your breath for three seconds, and then force the air out of your lungs using your belly muscles. This should be repeated three times.
What is the purpose of holding your breath for three seconds during a huff?
-Holding your breath for three seconds allows air to get behind the mucus while maintaining an open airway, which helps move the mucus.
What techniques can help maintain an open airway during huffing?
-Putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth or making an exaggerated 'O' with your mouth can help maintain an open airway.
Describe the steps for performing a high-level huff.
-To perform a high-level huff, inhale deeply through your nose until you can't take in any more air, then sniff to take in a bit more air. Hold your breath for three seconds and then perform a short, quick, and forceful exhalation.
Why is it recommended to sniff after a deep inhale during high-level huffing?
-Sniffing after a deep inhale ensures that the lungs are fully filled with air, maximizing the amount of air that can be used to forcefully expel mucus.
How many times should one perform the low-level and high-level huffing techniques?
-It is recommended to perform three low-level huffs followed by three high-level huffs.
Why is it important to talk with a respiratory therapist regarding huffing techniques?
-A respiratory therapist can provide personalized guidance and ensure proper technique, which is crucial for effectively clearing mucus and maintaining respiratory health.
What role do the belly muscles play in the huffing technique?
-The belly muscles are used to force the air out of the lungs during a huff, helping to move and expel mucus.

Outlines

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😷 Understanding Coughing and Huffing

Coughing is the body's natural mechanism for expelling mucus from the lungs. Huffing is a gentler form of coughing that can be performed at low and high levels. Low-level huffing helps move mucus from smaller airways to larger ones, while high-level huffing helps expel mucus from larger airways out of the lungs. The recommended technique involves three low-level huffs followed by three high-level huffs to effectively clear mucus. To perform a low-level huff, inhale slowly through your nose, hold your breath for three seconds to allow air to get behind the mucus, and then force the air out using your belly muscles while keeping your airway open. Repeating this process two more times helps in clearing the mucus. For high-level huffing, inhale deeply through your nose until you cannot take in more air, then sniff to take in even more air, hold your breath for three seconds, and perform a short, quick, and forceful exhalation. Keeping your airway open can be facilitated by putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth or making an exaggerated 'O' with your mouth. For proper technique and more information, it is advised to consult with a respiratory therapist.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Coughing

Coughing is a natural reflex that helps clear mucus and irritants from the lungs. In the context of the video, it is described as a way to expel mucus from the lungs. The script explains how huffing can be a gentler method compared to coughing.

💡Mucus

Mucus is a sticky substance produced by the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. It traps dust, microbes, and other particles. The video emphasizes the importance of clearing mucus from the lungs to maintain open airways and respiratory health.

💡Huffing

Huffing is a gentle form of coughing used to clear mucus from the lungs. The script details two levels of huffing: low level, which helps move mucus from the small airways to the larger airways, and high level, which helps expel mucus from the larger airways.

💡Low-level huffing

Low-level huffing involves inhaling slowly through the nose, holding the breath for three seconds, and then forcefully exhaling using the belly muscles. This technique helps move mucus from the small airways to the larger airways.

💡High-level huffing

High-level huffing involves taking a deep breath through the nose, holding it for three seconds, and then performing a short, quick, and forceful exhalation. This method helps move mucus from the larger airways up and out of the lungs.

💡Inhale

Inhaling refers to the act of drawing air into the lungs. The video describes how to slowly inhale through the nose to prepare for both low-level and high-level huffing, ensuring that the lungs are filled with air to effectively move mucus.

💡Exhale

Exhaling is the process of releasing air from the lungs. The script instructs on how to forcefully exhale during huffing to clear mucus, emphasizing the importance of using belly muscles and maintaining an open airway.

💡Airway

An airway is the path that air follows to get to the lungs. The video discusses keeping the airway open to allow air to get behind the mucus, aiding in its removal from both small and large airways.

💡Respiratory therapist

A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional specializing in the treatment of breathing disorders. The video recommends consulting a respiratory therapist for more information and to ensure proper huffing technique.

💡Open airway

An open airway is a clear path for air to move in and out of the lungs without obstruction. The script advises maintaining an open airway during huffing by using techniques like placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth or making an exaggerated 'O' shape with the mouth.

Highlights

Coughing is the natural way of getting mucus out of the lungs.

Huffing is a gentle way of coughing that can be performed at low and high levels.

Low-level huffing helps move mucus from the small airways to the larger airways.

High-level huffing helps move mucus from the larger airways up and out of the lungs.

It is recommended to perform three low-level huffs followed by three high-level huffs.

To perform a low-level huff, slowly inhale through your nose and hold your breath for three seconds.

Holding your breath allows air to get behind the mucus while maintaining an open airway.

Force the air out of your lungs using the muscles in your belly while keeping an open airway.

Putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth or making an exaggerated 'O' with your mouth may help keep an open airway.

Repeat the low-level huff technique two more times.

For a high-level huff, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, then sniff to take in even more air.

Hold your breath for three seconds while maintaining an open airway.

Perform a short, quick, and forceful exhalation.

The same technique of tongue placement or making an exaggerated 'O' with your mouth can be used for high-level huffs.

For more information and to check for proper technique, talk with your respiratory therapist.