Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine

Airway and Therapeutic Devices

Airway clearance therapy is a treatment that uses several airway clearance techniques to clear mucus and other secretions from the airways. Some respiratory diseases result in a disruption of the normal consistency mechanism, which leads to the accumulation of mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe and affects the cough reflex. A build-up of mucus can also cause infection and inflammation, and repeated infections can damage the airways and lung tissue. All airway clearance therapy involves the techniques of coughing or huffing that need to be used in conjunction with another airway clearance technique. Respiratory therapists make recommendations and give guidance for appropriate airway clearance therapies. They also give instruction in the use of various airway clearance techniques.