What is it?
Airway Clearance Techniques (ACT) assist with loosening and removing mucus from the airways to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation for the patient.
They are used to enhance the body’s mucociliary clearance system when it is impaired by disease, such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) and Bronchiectasis.
Why is it important?
Inflammation in the lungs results in narrowing of the airways and can sometimes lead to an obstruction. This obstruction can cause a build-up of mucus, which may then lead to an infection, once again triggering the inflammation cycle as seen in the picture provided.
ACT’s are important to help keep your lungs clear of mucus and assist with preventing infections, which in turn, reduces the risk of an exacerbation and improves quality of life.
Different techniques of Airway Clearance:
- Manual techniques (percussion, vibrations and shaking)
- Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBTs)
- Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP)
- Oscillating PEP (e.g. Flutter and Acapella)
- Autogenic Drainage (AD)
- High Frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO)
- Nasal Hygiene
- Movement and Exercise
There are many different techniques used to assist with airway clearance. A few of our favourites would include:
- Nasal Hygiene. It all starts at the nose! Sinus rinsing can remove dust, pollen, and other debris, as well as to help loosen thick mucus. It can also help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds, and flu.
- Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBTs) combines different breathing techniques that help clear mucus from the lungs in three phases. The first phase helps you to relax your airways. The second phase helps you to get air behind the mucus. The third phase helps you to move the mucus out of your lungs.
- Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) The PEP device creates pressure in the lungs and keeps your lungs from closing. The air flowing through the PEP device helps move the mucus into the larger airways.
- Oscillating PEP combines the techniques of PEP with high-frequency oscillations. The vibrations combined with the gentle resistance of breathing against the ball results in several positive benefits.
- Movement and exercise Physical activity is one of the best ways to help clear mucus. It promotes deep breathing, facilitating the movement of air through the lungs and mobilizes the secretions in your deeper airways. This, together with the air clearance techniques mentioned above, will assist in clearing your secretions.
How can we help?
At NHH Physiotherapists Inc, we will assess and personalize your airway clearance strategy to best suit your needs and lifestyle. We aim to educate you improving your disease understanding and empower you by teaching you self-management skills. These strategies can be performed independently, they are feasible in different environments and easily implemented into a daily routine, if needed. Remember, that airway health starts at the nose!