"You may also be coughing more because you’ve developed a comorbidity, which means another illness exists alongside your COPD. Examples of comorbidities include infections such as pneumonia or influenza, or issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When you lie down, GERD can push stomach acid into your throat and mouth and cause you to cough.
If your increased coughing is due to a comorbidity, you can use antibiotics or medications to return to your regular level of coughing. Don’t make any assumptions, though — speak to your doctor, who will make a diagnosis and prescribe you the right medication."
"Here is a coughing technique, called huff cough, to bring up mucus that won’t wear you out. This can be helpful in those with an ongoing cough due to COPD or other chronic lung conditions. It’s helpful to work with your doctor or respiratory therapist when learning this technique.
- Sit up straight in a chair with your head up.
- Breathe in using your abdomen and hold for 2 or 3 seconds.
- With the back of your throat open let out your air in a burst, making a “ha” sound.
- Do 2 to 3 huff breaths, then rest for 5 to 10 breaths.
- Repeat this in cycles.
The larger the breath, the more effective it is for smaller airways."
Judith Marcin, MD
COPD and Coughing: Why Your Pulmonologist May Teach You to Cough
Thomas - Please followup with your Doctor and if the sputum should turn yellow or green, you notice a fever, you become short of breath, or you notice that your ankles are swollen (edema) don't wait. Go to urgent care and if they're not open go to ER.
