What will make my wife cough up the thick mucus in her lungs? She's a copd patient.



Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a condition that causes difficulty in breathing. COPD may result in bouts of coughing which produce a large amount of mucus. The individual could also experience breathlessness, tightness in the chest and wheezing.  smoking is a very common factor that leads to COPD. Other factors that could contribute to COPD are inhalation of dust, fumes and polluted air. When we breathe, the inhaled air travels down to the lungs through the bronchial tubes. These bronchial tubes have tiny air sacs called alveoli. As we breathe in and out, the alveoli fill up with air and deflate. When COPD occurs, there is a reduced amount of air that flows through the airways. This could take place when the alveoli are unable to expand and contract. There may also be damage in the walls of the alveoli which is causing the problem. Sometimes there may also be inflammation in the lining of the airways or the there may be an excessive production of mucus in the bronchial tubes which causes a blockage.

Taking steam inhalations will loosen the secretions and reduce congestion. A very good expectorant that will loosen the mucus and make it easier to cough it up is eucalyptus. A few drops of essential oil of eucalyptus can be added to the humidifier. This will also make breathing less laborious. You can also add menthol oil to the water for increased effectiveness. A teaspoon each of onion juice and honey taken twice daily also helps to reduce cough. Other herbal solutions that are used to keep COPD under control are garlic, licorice and marshmallow. It is important to avoid anything that can irritate the airways such as exhaust or smoke. Using an air purifier will help to prevent and reduce irritants in the house. It is also essential to get as much as oxygen as possible. One way of doing this is to drink oxygenated water. Acupuncture therapy may also help to cope with COPD. Magnesium and vitamin C also helps to improve lung functioning. Many COPD sufferers find relief from drinking black tea, as it contains chemicals related to the stimulant theophylline which is also the basis of many modern remedies. However, it must be noted that before considering herbal and other natural remedies, COPD patients must consult their doctor first, to avoid any interaction of the natural remedies with current ongoing medication.

answered by G M

COPD can be very difficult to deal with, both for the person who has it and for their loved ones. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat COPD naturally. To strengthen your wife's immune system so that she is not as prone to colds and coughs, she should start taking (if she isn't already) a good multivitamin supplement and additional supplementation of magnesium, vitamin c, Coenzyme Q10, and L-Carnitine. Herbal solutions that will help keep the COPD under control are garlic, Licorice, Indian Tobacco (Labelia), and marshmallow. Probably the best expectorant, which will loosen the mucus and make it easier for your wife to cough up, is Eucalyptus. A great way to experience the benefits of Eucalyptus is to add a few drops of the essential oil of Eucalyptus to a humidifier and have your wife breathe in the air, especially when she is having trouble breathing. I have used this since I was a child and it has literally saved my life on a number of occasions!

It is important that your wife avoid things that irritate the airways, such as exhaust and smoke. An air purifier will help reduce these irritants in your home. It is also important for your wife to get as much oxygen as possible. One way to get oxygen into her system is by drinking oxygenated water. Acupuncture therapy may also help your wife to cope with her COPD.

answered by R P


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