Patient Education Living Well with COPD Booklet | Page 17

Huff Coughing
Coughing is your body’s main way to
remove mucus from the lungs, but it can
leave you exhausted. Huff coughing is a
way to clear your lungs without draining
your energy.
Use this controlled coughing technique
after you use your bronchodilator
medicine and when you feel mucus in
your throat. Never do it to the point of
exhaustion.
How to do:
1. Sit on a chair with both feet on the
fl oor. Fold your arms across your
abdomen. Start by taking 2 to 4 slow,
deep breaths.
Nebulizers
• These are devices that break down
a drug into fi ne particles so it can be
inhaled. Nebulizers may be driven by
compressed oxygen or air.
2. Take in a slow, deep breath. To
exhale, open your mouth and make
a “huff” sound in your throat as you
would to fog your glasses before
cleaning them. Huff 2 to 3 times as
you exhale.
• You or your caregivers will need to be
trained how to use and take care of
the equipment.
• You will use either a face mask or a
mouthpiece, as one type may work
better for you than the other.
3. Breathe in again by “sniffi ng” slowly
and gently through your nose. This
gentle breath helps prevent mucus
from moving back into your airways.
• Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning
instructions.
4. Rest and repeat the steps as needed.
The fi rst huff loosens the mucus and
moves it through the airways. The
second and third huffs allow you to
cough the mucus up and out.
Never share your personal medical
devices with someone else!
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