Suggest Treatment For Breathing Problem In A Person With COPD

Posted on Sun, 17 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 17 May 2015 Answered on

Sun, 7 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband is having breathing problems which I believe may be due to mucus in this throat. He has numerous health problems including COPD. He had a four-way bypass in XXXXXXX which had complications with his lungs and they ended by stapling both lungs. He also suffered from a collapsed lung.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Steam inhalation or nebulization should be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details. You well understand that the respiratory system of your husband, is in a compromised state. It is unable to clear the respiratory secretions adequately and hence the mucus. You can help by giving him nebulization with 2 cc normal saline a few times a day. A home alternative of the same would be steam inhalation in case you are not in a position to get a nebulizer.

If wheezing is present along, certain medicines like asthalin might need to be added to the nebulizer solution.

Hope that it helps.

Regards
Dr. Kunal Saha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D