Coughing and sickness are inevitable parts of life, and many people who develop a sickness in their respiratory system also experience mucus development in the lungs and esophagus. This can make breathing more difficult and lead to coughing up...
Children suffering from cystic fibrosis and adults suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema have one thing in common ---- they need to clear accumulated mucus from their lungs daily so that they don't run the risk of...
Mucus is a thick fluid secreted by mucus cells that are located in various organs. Mucus acts as a protective barrier and filter by coating the lining of organs to trap foreign substances. When foreign substances become trapped in the mucus, they...
Mucus in the lungs or chest congestion in infants can be caused by multiple factors. Your infant is just starting to breath and can be more prone to respiratory infections. Respiratory infections cause mucus to form in the lungs and respiratory...
An expectorant is a type of medication that is used to loosen congestion in your chest and throat to allow you to cough up mucus easier. The most commonly used ingredient is guafenesin. Taking an expectorant as directed can help clean the lungs of...
The lungs secrete mucus to trap small particles and germs. Hair-like projections in the airways and coughing clear lung mucus in healthy patients. Certain medical conditions and diseases cause an accumulation of lung mucus that may interfere with...
Coughing is a reflex triggered by the presence of irritation or mucus in the lungs or respiratory tract. People cough because of infection, exposure of the lungs to irritants or the accidental inhalation of liquid or solid particles. Coughing can...
Our lungs work hard for us every day, helping to ensure we have sufficient oxygen to power every function in our bodies. Considering the level of pollution in our air and our tendency to breathe shallowly, it can be helpful to give our lungs a...
If you are suffering from an acute cold that has increased mucus in your lungs and throat, or if you have a chronic condition that consistently produces mucus, you may be looking for an herbal remedy to help. There are many different herbs that...
Keeping your lungs clear helps prevent lung damage and chronic infections if you have cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening condition that affects an estimated 30,000 Americans, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The condition creates...
Excessive mucus, or phlegm, commonly occurs with certain respiratory disorders and is commonly seen in people with emphysema and bronchitis. Cystic fibrosis, an inherited condition that affects more than 30,000 children and teens in the United...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in your lungs and digestive system. Mucus buildup in the lungs and respiratory tract causes breathing problems. When thick mucus builds up in your pancreas, it...
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract. Although inoculation has reduced the incidence of the disease in children, the effectiveness of the vaccine fades over time. This is why whooping cough...
According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, exercise helps people with cystic fibrosis improve their fitness, decrease the rate of lung function decline and increase their self-esteem and confidence. Although almost all people with cystic...
Tussin DM is a widely available, over-the-counter medication for the treatment of coughs that may result from allergies or a respiratory infection. This type of medication works to both suppress the urge to cough and to loosen any phlegm that has...
Endurance exercise affects your lungs by improving your ability to perform physical activity for longer periods. Endurance exercise helps your lungs supply all of the cells in your body with more oxygen, while minimizing the effort required for...
Deep, consistent coughs that are tied to respiratory infections are often triggered by mucus that's trapped in your lungs. The mucus is usually quite thick and difficult to dislodge simply by coughing. An expectorant can help thin and loosen the...
According to "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants," modern herbalism as well as several systems of traditional holistic medicine---including traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda---regard ginger as one of the most versatile and useful herbs....
N-acetylcysteine, also known simply as acetylcysteine, is a natural antioxidant substance produced in the human body. Doctors use a prescription form of this substance to thin the body secretion called mucus. While doctors sometimes use...
Your respiratory system controls your breathing and begins when you draw in air through your nose or mouth. The air travels through your windpipe into both of your lungs, where small air sacs capture oxygen and distribute it in your bloodstream...
Smoking tobacco causes approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each year almost half a million people in the United States die from adverse...
The best way to treat pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection is with antibiotics. Patients can receive antibiotics orally or intravenously in a hospital setting. Patients with double pneumonia may receive a course of intravenous antibiotics...
An upper respiratory infection can affect any of the breathing mechanisms of your head and chest, including the nose, throat and sinuses. In addition to difficulty breathing, you may experience a sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, watery eyes,...
Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in one or both lungs. Symptoms, including a cough with phlegm, are caused when air sacs fill with fluid or pus. Pneumonia is more serious in children and adults over the age of 65. An ordinary case of...
Syrup for a cough is a home remedy that you may want to make to treat a mild cough. There is little clinical evidence to support the efficacy of most home remedies for a cough, but creating your own remedy for a mild cough can be a safer and more...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease, which means that it is the result of faulty genes being passed from parents to the offspring. Cystic fibrosis is the result of a mutation in a protein that moves chloride (a form of chlorine) throughout the...
Lung disgorgement, or the need to expel fluid and mucus from the lungs, can be due to a variety of conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, allergies, bronchiolitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although you must check with your doctor...
Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of your lungs, and typically follows a viral infection, such as a flu or cold. This condition produces a persistent wet or dry cough that may last from two to three days, to several weeks. Other symptoms...
If you have a lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, or if you have surgery, your doctor may tell you that you need to perform coughing exercises to keep your lungs clear of mucus. Ask your doctor or respiratory...
Smart food choices can people with asthma. Learn how to adjust your diet to fit your specific health and nutrition needs in this healthy shopping video.
If your chest starts to feel sore and you develop a cough followed by the chills or a slight fever, you just might have bronchitis. Bronchitis is a condition that occurs when the inner walls that line the main air passageways of your lungs become...
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, saliva and digestive juices. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...
