what can u do to break mucus up in the lungs after being sick or stoped smoking without meds?
957850
Best idea always is to consult a physician first for the best solution...\n\nYou could try mucinex (an OTC med that breaks up mucus), increase fluid intake (but not caffeinated), and use a humidifier. \n\nCongratulations on quitting smoking!
48055
Over the counter "Musinex" is the best I have used.  However, it would be a good idea to consult your doctor for other meds. and determine the cause of the mucus.\n\nGood luck and be well
984593
Hi,\nPl. find out the causes of cough the main causes are as under then accordingly take the treatment  The treatment is also given in the last.\nThe main causes are\nSmoking (smoke destroys the cells in the lining of the breathing tubes so that mucous cannot be expelled normally, leading to a chronic cough). This also includes passive smoking\n\nCommon cold, influenza and other viral infections (with yellow or white mucous) are the most common causes\n\nDrugs (such as ACE inhibitors or expectorants) cause persistent, dry, non-productive coughs \n\nStress (if the cough disappears during sleep, then stress may be the cause) \n\nAllergies \n\nAspiration \n\nBacterial infection such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis or tracheitis\n\nViral infection such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection\n\nCongestive heart failure\n\nEnvironmental pollution \n\nGastroesophagul reflux \n\nPostnasal drip\n\nAsthma \n\nLung cancer \n\nCough can be taken care of at home.\nIncreasing humidity in the air helps relieve coughing. A vapourizer and a steamy shower are two ways to increase the humidity. \n\nDrink extra fluids to help thin secretions and make them easier to cough up. \n\nGlyceryl guaiacolate (guaifenesin) is available without prescription and may help liquefy the mucous. Drink lots of fluids if taking this medication.\n\nWhen a cold and a stuffy, runny nose accompany the cough, it is often caused by mucous dripping down the back of the throat. A decongestant that opens the nasal passages will relieve this postnasal drip, and is the best treatment for that type of cough. \n\nDecongestants such as phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine or combinations of these two decongestants are available as over-the-counter cold medications. Don't give decongestants to a child under six years of age unless prescribed by the doctor. It is important to talk to your physician before using any cough medications for children under two. \n\nIf you have high blood pressure (hypertension), consult the doctor before taking decongestants. \n\nCoughs due to chronic postnasal drip are probably caused by either sinus infection or allergy. If allergy is the cause, it is typically treated by avoiding the trigger (allergen) that is causing the allergy. In addition, anti-histamines and a steroid nasal spray are sometimes used to suppress the allergic inflammation. \n\nDry, tickling coughs can be relieved by sucking on cough lozenges or hard candy. (However, never give a lozenge or hard candy to a child under 3 years old because it is a choking hazard.) \n\nCodeine is a very effective cough suppressant, but has some side effects, can lead to physical dependence and addiction and requires a prescription. \n\nDextromethorphan (such as in Vick's Formula 44 of Robitussin DM) is an effective cough suppressant that is available without prescription. \n\nThe treatment  of cough is as under\n\nTreatment of a cough generally involves addressing the condition causing it. An acute infection such as pneumonia may require antibiotics, an asthma-induced cough may be treated with the use of bronchodilators, or an antihistamine may be administered in the case of an allergy. Physicians prefer not to suppress a productive cough, since it aids the body in clearing respiratory system of infective agents and irritants. However, cough medicines may be given if the patient cannot rest because of the cough or if the cough is not productive, as is the case with most coughs associated with colds or flu. The two types of drugs used to treat coughs are antitussives (drugs that suppress a cough) and expectorants (drugs that make mucous easier to cough up by thinning it).\n\nFeel Free to Contact\n\nDr.Mojo
55917
If you have mucus in your chest, try Mucinex, it's available at Walmart & CVS. Clears your lungs right out.
250015
It is not uncommom for smokers to develop a respiratory infection or some inflammation after quiting.  If it gets bad or has been persistent, please see your physician.
498702
Sounds to me like a simple problem, the solution of which, escapes most people.  During the Winter, the humidity level in the air gets lower.  Indoor heating, of any kind pulls more moisture out of it.  If your hubby's lungs are that fragile, he needs more humidity to help keep the mucus in his bronchial tubes moist and fluid.  Go out and buy a good humidifier and keep it running during the night while you sleep.  You'll find that it will help reduce the coughing in the morning.\n\nThe cigarettes and pot are not helping either.  If he can't quit, at least get him to moderate their use.
979268
Get some mucinex - it gets rid of the phlegm.  I know it's a pain in the ass. \n\nIf you have a doctor - go in and ask for some Guifinasen.  It is the same general thing as Mucinex, but just RX strength.  I used to work at a pharmacy, and the pharmacists would give me bottles of it without an RX.  Those were good times...
1461
Is the cough productive? Any blood or sputum. Is the sputum clear or green and mucky. Any other symptoms?\n\nThe best approach is to *treat the cause*\n\n1. Certain drugs eg ace inhibitors have this side effect.\n\n2. smoking - cut down or stop\n\n3. Upper (nose, windpipe) and lower (lung tissue) respiratory tract infections. aka pneumonmia/chest/lung infection.\n\n4. anxiety disordes\n\n5. other - always see a qualified physician if symptoms are not settling
312855
Eat oranges. Buy a bag, n eat them while on the net or watching tv. LOTS of water, 8+ glasses daily, stay away from sodas and juices for this time, it will help you heal faster. Then sleep n sleep. But, don't stay bundled up in your house under a blanket all day long. Move around, walk around the house. If you stay in your 'sick' way of life, ive always found that it took longer to get over the flue. The more active I was around the house (cooking, cleaning, getting up myself to get myself water, doing the dishes)..the faster I would heal. \n\nGet Well!
1026894
try a gravity bong....keep on smoking...you are keeping me in business as a respiratory therapist!! See you soon with a big tube down your throat....fool
824333
It sounds like an upper respiratory infection to me, not the flu.  If you ever had the flu, you'd be too weak to write this much on the computer, trust me.  Of course you want to up your fluids with water and juices.  Lay off of the carbonated drinks because they will irritate your bladder and just cause more dehydration.  Hot tea or broth (chicken) will soothe the sore throat; gargelling with warm salt water (1tsp. per cup) for a few minutes will also comfort the throat; take 2-3 aspirin with food (crackers) it will reduce the inflammation/pain and fever.  As for the cough, you can take cough meds if you have them, or honey will help too.  If you're running your heater in your home, it will dry out your bronchi and cause a dry cough.   If you have a vaporizer use it, if not, just put out a pan of water close to your bed to keep the air moist (you can take a good hot shower and that will help also).  Keep warm, get alot of rest and I'm sure you'll be feeling better in the am.  If you're having yellow/green mucous coming up, definitely see a doc.  If not, it will pass in a few days.  Godloveya.
516139
When I gave up smoking I took horseradish and garlic capsules and they loosened the congestion on my lungs and I was able to cough up all the phlegm and get rid of it quickly. They can be bought at a health food store or chemist. Hope this helps and good on you for giving up.
996031
You can if you wan't to, but believe me it is best not to smoke, this could cause an infecton
629312
Dairy products increase mucus formation, so eliminate this from your diet except for low-fat soured products like yogurt and dairy cheese.  Reduce your intake of sugar and salt from your diet.  \n\nIncrease your intake of raw foods-- fruits and vegetables.  \n\nConsume plenty of hot liquids such as soups and herbal teas.  These help the mucus flow, relieving congestion and sinus pressure.  Adding cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger and horseradish to soups or teas may bring even faster relief.\n\nLastly, do not smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.  If you live in a smoggy area, consider getting an air purifier.
450398
i usually start by breaking up a cigarette. i don't smoke them except about 50/50 tobacco with my weed.  i put a little cardboard filter in there so i'm not getting tobacco or weed in my mouth and i only use zig zag or some other slow burning paper.
233230
sounds like a bad cold or the flu to me. Go see a doctor and he can tell you everything you need to know. In the mean time you can get lot's of fresh Vitamin C (fresh lemons, oranges) and use the menthol rub and some throat losenges. Drink LOTS of water or Powerade. Eat some light soup, like chicken soup. (Not dark soup) But regardless of whether you fell like you might be getting better, go see a doctor and make sure it's not something serious.\n\nIf you have alot of phlem in your lungs, Mucinex works great(the GREEN pack, not the blue one) Hope you feel better!
799325
I'm a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering, I study Emphysema (a disease people get when they smoke cigarettes). There are over 4000 toxins in cigarette smoke. Most of them are still unknown. Nicotine is probably the worst toxin as it stops and eventually kills the epithelial cells in the lining of the lung, these cells have tiny hairs that usually "beat" upwards causing the mucus to come up to your throat and get swalloed. With that not working, mucus accumulates in the lung. When you smoke your mucus in filled with those 4000 toxins and your body reacts by secreting an enzyme called "trypsin" into your lungs. Trypsin is the same enzyme that your stomach uses to digest steak. Think of how powerfull it is. After years of smoking, your lungs will have been exposed to so much trypsin that you will litterally have holes in your lung. That is the definition of emphysema. \nYou should tell your BF to stop smoking while he's still young. Maybe you should buy him some nicotine patches and gum for christas. it's going to be a very difficult time so be supportive.\nGood luck!\nAnnie