Huff Coughing and Forced Expiratory Technique

A Huff Cough is a gentle cough, done with an open glottis all through exhalation.  To keep your glottis open, keep your mouth open as you exhale.  It may help to place a tube, (like inside a toilet paper roll), between your lips and teeth, while you are learning.  This is also called, Forced Expiratory Technique, (FET).

1.   Sit in a comfortable position.  See coughing tips in last post.

2.   Do a few nice slow deep breaths using diaphragmatic breathing.  

3.   Inhale slowly and hold your breath for two to three seconds.

4.   Exhale like you are “fogging” a mirror or your glasses.                    

5.   This will make a “huffing” sound, until most air is out.

6.   Control the speed of exhalation, not too fast.

7.   Avoid an actual, or premature cough.

8.   Use your abdominal muscles to help you exhale fully.

9.   Start with lower volumes and build up to a large breath.

  10.  Do several, (2-3) huff coughs and then rest.  

  11.  After several minutes, repeat if needed.

 This technique should be gentle and controlled and can be very effective.  It helps you avoid paroxysmal, unproductive coughing.

 If you experience any discomfort, stop, and talk with your Doctor at your next visit. 

Cough, techniques to do it gently and effectively

Coughing is the body's way of removing foreign material or mucus from your lungs and airways, or of reacting to airway irritation.  It is important to cough effectively to avoid getting more short of breath or exhausted from your efforts.  We will explain how to cough more gently, with good results.

Productive coughing, brings up phlegm or mucus (sputum).   The mucus may have drained down the back of your throat from the nose or sinuses, or may come up from your lungs.  Try not to hold or suppress a productive cough as it clears mucus from the lungs.   

It is important to stay well hydrated by drinking several glasses of water daily, (unless you are told to restrict fluids by your doctor), so your secretions are thinner and easier to cough out.  It may help to do a controlled coughing session after your inhaled medications.  You want to be sitting in a comfortable position, not lying down.  You can place your hands on your knees, or a table to help stabilize your muscles.  Purposely use your stomach muscles to make your cough efforts stronger.

Huff Cough and Forced Expiratory Technique,(FET)  which are gentle ways to cough, and easy to learn, will be posted soon.