I have a presciption from the doctor that helps all day but then it starts to not work before bed and then my chest fills up again and hurts. I can only take one dose in 24 hours so I can't just take more. Any suggestions?
2007-03-15 15:45:13 · 13 answers · asked by Baby Julie due 5/12 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Ask your doctor about mucanex over the counter ....it really works....
2007-03-15 15:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by kows4sale 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford one, get yourself one of those cold steamers that you can put certain medications in and it actually warms up and humidifies the room that your are in. Another idea, if you have a tea kettle, let it boil and heat up until the steam starts coming out and put your face above it and breath in (use a chair or something because steam is hot so breath in the steam as far away from the kettle as possible so you do not burn your mouth or lungs and the moisture should help loosen up that rotten flem that you can then spit into your sink, bucket, or whatever is available! Furthermore, buy yourself what is called an "Expectorant" medication that you take usually every 6 hours like Buckley's Nighttime Relief or Vick's Nighttime! These powerful chemicals do the same thing but do not overdose on them- that's why they say to only take them every 6 hours. I suggest taking them when your conditions are the worst- like when you need to sleep.
2007-03-15 23:12:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First drink lots of water. Most people I see in the hospital are dehydrated. People just don't drink enough water anymore. A properly hydrated body can help loosen the phlegm. This will make it easier to cough up.
Second, Get a medication called Guaifenesin. The brand name is Mucinex however you can find the generic version at most drug stores. This is an expectorant. It will help break up the mucus. This drug along with plenty of water will work fine.
If you mucus is yellow or green. you may want to see a doctor. Yellow or green sputum is an indication of an infection and need to be treated with antibiotics. Only a doctor can give you antibiotics.
Good luck
2007-03-15 22:53:30 · answer #3 · answered by Matt A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All the above answers are good....meds and steam. My husband had emphysema. The Respiratory Therapists would always tell him to move around as much as you can to help get the mucus up and out. I know you can't do it when you're trying to sleep at night but do it during the day. That way you may get rid of excess mucus and it won't be so bad when you lay down. If you are laying around all day long it'll just allow that mucus to sit where it's at. Even sitting up, if you can't move around, is better for that condition. Get Well Soon.
2007-03-16 04:16:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a nice long shower and when you are too hot get out but keep your shower on full blast on HOT. Then just sit in your bathroom for a while and inhale all the steam. That might help. Or try the new Vick's plug-in that releases vapors throughout the night.
2007-03-15 22:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by blueyedbabe894 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several things to help you get mucus out of your chest. One is using mucinex (its otc at your local pharmacy) it thins the mucous to where you can cough it up easier.
The next thing drinking water is a natural way to thin the mucus and cough it up. (remember the saying drink lots of liquid when you have the flu, colds, etc its for this reason).
Next would be deep breathing and coughing, force it out. (this and teh mucinex is my present method i have bronchitis right now).
If these methods are not able to help you you need to see a doctor, you can develop pnemonia.
2007-03-16 10:42:47 · answer #6 · answered by steveangela1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What was your diagnosis? Bronchitis? Asthma? COPD?
Call your doctor back and tell him what's happening. You can also get a second opinion, or go to the ER if it's really bad.
I just took my 4 yr old son to the ER this morning for bronchial athsma ... he gets breathing treatments for it, along with antibiotics to clear infection.
2007-03-15 22:57:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
steam place a pot of water boiled ona cutting board or trivit on the table add alittle vapo-rub then cover your head with a towel over the steam keep reheating till you cough up the phlem into a tissue or have the trash can near
2007-03-15 22:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rub vicks on your chest at bedtime
use a steamer to inhale hot
water to loosen mucus
2007-03-15 22:48:44 · answer #9 · answered by caffsans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this an allergic reaction, COPD, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia? This is pretty important and serious to be asking here. Get another medical opinion and research it yourself through qualified sources.
2007-03-15 22:52:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋