COPD: Coping With Mucus

How does COPD cause mucus?

COPD is a term for two main conditions. These are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke. With chronic bronchitis, the airways become irritated and swell. The muscles that surround them may tighten. The damaged airways also make more mucus than normal. They do this to try to clear the irritants away. But the mucus builds up. This can cause an ongoing cough as the body tries to remove mucus. The extra mucus and the swollen, tight airways make it harder to breathe. Less air gets in and out of the lungs.

Smoking also damages or destroys the cilia in the airways. Damaged cilia can’t move. So they can't sweep mucus, smoke, and other particles out of the lungs. This makes the lungs more likely to become infected.

Treatment for mucus

There are treatments that can help you manage the extra mucus and other symptoms of COPD. These treatments include:

• Bronchodilator medicines. These medicines help open the airways. This makes it easier to clear mucus from the lungs. You usually take these medicines with an inhaler. This allows the medicine to go straight to the lungs. Medicine can also be taken with a nebulizer machine.

• Combination medicines. These include a bronchodilator and a steroid. Steroids reduce swelling and inflammation that cause you to make mucus.

• Antibiotics. A respiratory infection can lead to more mucus and coughing. Antibiotics are medicines that help treat bacterial infections.

• Mucolytic medicines. These medicines thin the mucus, making it easier to cough up.

Your doctor will work with you to decide on the best treatment plan for you.

Self-care tips for mucus

Keeping your lungs clear of mucus helps prevent shortness of breath and other symptoms. Here are things you can do to reduce mucus.

• Stop smoking. This is the most helpful step you can take. As soon as you quit, your body starts to repair the damage caused by smoking. If you need help quitting, talk with your doctor.

• Avoid secondhand smoke and other irritants. Try to stay away from smoke, chemicals, fumes, pollen, and dust as much as you can. Don’t let anyone smoke in your home or around you. Stay indoors on smoggy days.

• Prevent lung infections. Having COPD increases your risk for infections. These include the flu, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Get vaccines as directed by your doctor. Stay away from crowded places during cold and flu season. And avoid people who are sick.

• Wash your hands often. This helps prevent infections. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When you can't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Limit dairy products. Dairy products can make mucus thicker for some people. If dairy affects you, enjoy milk, ice cream, and cheese in small amounts.

• Drink plenty of water. This helps make mucus thinner and easier to cough up. Ask your doctor how much water you should drink. For many people, 6 to 8 glasses (8 ounces each) a day is a good goal.

• Clear your airway. When your lungs make a lot of mucus or it's hard to cough up, airway clearing methods can help. These include coughing methods and postural drainage. Ask your doctor about these methods.

• Don’t be afraid to be active. Being active may make you short of breath. But exercise can strengthen the muscles that help you breathe. Talk with your doctor about safe exercises for you. Ask what type of exercise you can do. And ask how much you can do.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor or get medical care right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.

• Symptoms that don’t get better, or that get worse.

• New symptoms.