Peps and Flutters

In November we had a very interesting talk from Samantha Sladden, a Physiotherapist from the Thanet Pulmonary Rehab team. Sam came to talk about methods and devices to help bring up mucus (phlegm). She reminded us that that everyone's phlegm is different but it should not be hard and lumpy. Sam’s first advice is to drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucous and make it less "sticky". We should all be drinking 2 litres a day but remember that fruit juices contain lots of sugar and also NOT caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee which are dehydrating. There were howls of protest when she suggested we drink a max of 2 cups a day but the good news is decaf tea and coffee are not a problem so have as much as you like of those. It’s important to use the active cycle of breathing (huffing) as demonstrated at Rehab talks. If you are still unable to clear your chest and are getting repeated infections, a respiratory physio can assess and help you, starting very simply by putting a straw into 4 inches (10cms) of water in a glass and blowing through it. If you can manage this you may be supplied with a flutter device which looks like a clay pipe with a ball bearing which is raised by blowing the pipe. Both methods set up a vibration through the airways which helps loosen phlegm in the chest. The flutter device she showed us costs £56 to the NHS so it’s definitely better to "train" with the straw and glass of water first - probably healthier too as there will be no issues with cleaning it between uses! A flutter device is a PEP (positive expiratory pressure) device. There are drugs which can help loosen mucous but not everyone gets on with those and she reminded us that they can take a month or so to show any results. Sam also showed us a salt-pipe which is not supplied on the NHS and explained how these may help. (Hers cost £50 and lasts 5 years) She also showed us an inspiratory muscle trainer. If you think one of these devices may be of help to you do talk to your respiratory nurse about it.