Cough Assist Machines: How They Can Help You
As time goes on, medical equipment is constantly being upgraded and becoming more advanced. The introduction of the cough assist machine is one example of these advancements since they are non-invasive, simple to use and accommodate various patient conditions. How exactly does a cough machine work? Continue reading to find out.
What Do Our Lungs Do?
The answer is obvious – our lungs work with other organs in your respiratory system to help you breathe. But, breathing in and out isn’t as easy as it sounds with bacteria, dust and other particles floating around in the air. Another job our lungs have is to produce mucus that traps bacteria and protects your body from infection. When you cough, that’s your body’s way of clearing out the mucus and allowing you to breathe easier.
How Does a Cough Assist Machine Work?
While coughing is the ideal way to clear your lungs, not everyone has a strong enough cough to do so. This can be due to various diseases or injuries, which we’ll discuss at a later point, but a weak cough calls for some assistance. That’s where a cough assist machine comes into play – it mimics a strong cough, which allows you to fully clear your lungs and prevent infection. Here’s how it works:
Set up your cough assist machine and put on the mask or mouthpiece.
Breathe in, and the machine will slowly blow air into your lungs.
The machine will quickly pull the air back out like a cough, taking any mucus along with it.
It’s that simple! Once you set it up and begin, the machine does all the work for you helping you breathe better.
What Are the Benefits?
Besides leaving your airways secretion-free, what are the benefits of using a cough assist machine versus another form of therapy? Here are some reasons:
Extremely effective
Allows you to breathe easily and painlessly
Most comfortable form of therapy for mucus relief
Prevents infections like pneumonia
Who Is This For?
There are various reasons why a person may need to use a cough assist machine. It can help individuals dealing with issues such as:
Muscular dystrophy
Paralysis
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Spinal muscular atrophy
Low muscle tone
Spinal cord injury
Breathing supports such as a ventilator
Invasive suction methods can be uncomfortable or even lead to further complications. That’s why cough assist machines are such a great and effective alternative for mucus relief. If you are looking for a portable, durable and easy-to-use machine of your own, check out the Cough Assist T70! Feel free to contact us with any questions or for further assistance – we're happy to help!