Respiratory Treatments

💡TL;DR: Acute bronchitis is usually contagious for about a week after symptoms start, per the Cleveland Clinic. You’re most contagious in the first few days. If a clinician confirms a bacterial cause and you start the right antibiotic, you’re generally low risk about 24 hours after the

💡TL;DR: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a three-step, equipment-free way to clear lung mucus: relaxed breathing, deep chest-expanding breaths, then huff coughing. It’s free to do at home; device-based options (like PEP devices or vests) add cost and maintenance, so ACBT is often a first-line choice

💡TL;DR: At night, lying flat lets mucus pool in your throat so a postnasal drip cough often ramps up. Clear mucus before bed (saline rinse), add moisture (humidifier or saline mist), and sleep with your head raised 6–8 inches to quiet the tickle. Match meds to the cause:

💡TL;DR: Postural drainage uses body positions to let gravity move thick mucus toward your throat so you can cough it out. Hold each position 5–10 minutes with slow breaths, then huff cough to clear what moved. Head-down angles help the lower lobes; use upright or side-lying if you

💡TL;DR: Breathe in for 2, out for 4–6 through gently pursed lips to slow your breathing and let trapped air leave. This simple, no-equipment technique can quickly ease shortness of breath by keeping small airways open longer. Use it during activity and at the first sign of breathlessness

💡TL;DR: RSV symptoms usually start 4–6 days after exposure (range 2–8 days). You’re contagious for about 3–8 days and can spread it 1–2 days before symptoms; infants and people with weak immune systems may shed up to 3–4 weeks (CDC). Most illnesses last

💡 TL;DR: Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine) is a new twice-daily nebulized maintenance medicine that can help reduce COPD flare-ups and improve daily breathing. In clinical trials, people had about 36–43% fewer moderate or severe exacerbations over 6 months when it was added to usual care (PubMed). It is not a rescue

💡TL;DR: Most of the time, the answer is no: a nebulizer without medicine will not treat your lungs; you are just inhaling moist air. The only common exception is sterile 0.9% saline, which can add moisture and thin mucus, but it does not open airways or stop an

💡TL;DR: Green phlegm usually means your immune system is actively fighting an infection; the color alone does not prove it’s bacterial or that you need antibiotics. Most cases improve with home care in 1–3 weeks; watch the timeline and how you feel. Seek care sooner if you