Drainage Positions for Alleviating Respiratory Issues: Function, Applications, and Insights
Postural drainage is a crucial method used to help individuals with conditions like cystic fibrosis, spinal cord injury, bronchiectasis, and other respiratory issues that make it difficult to expel mucus from the lungs. This technique, often performed under the guidance of a caregiver or therapist, involves placing the patient in specific positions to utilise gravity and drain mucus from different parts of the lungs.
The process begins with the patient lying on their stomach, with a caregiver clapping both sides of the back just above the bottom end of the ribcage. This action helps to dislodge mucus, encouraging it to move around and stimulate coughing to help mucus exit the airways.
Postural drainage also employs techniques such as deep breathing, percussion (clapping), vibration, and shaking over specific lung segments. Deep breathing can be particularly beneficial, as it can stimulate coughing and aid in mucus expulsion.
Common techniques for cystic fibrosis patients include targeted body positioning, percussion (clapping) on the chest wall over lung segments, vibration or shaking during breathing to loosen secretions, and encouraging effective coughing or suctioning for mucus removal.
The self-administered upright position involves a person clapping over their muscular area between the collarbone and the top of the shoulder blade on both sides. Other positions include lying on the left or right side with the corresponding arm over the head, lying face down or face up to target posterior or anterior lung segments, and head-down positions to drain lower lung lobes.
A caregiver may use vibration, a gentle shaking motion using a flat hand, to further aid in mucus clearance. The specific positions and techniques used during postural drainage may vary depending on the individual's needs and the affected lung segments.
Postural drainage sessions typically last around 20–30 minutes and may be repeated multiple times daily, depending on the individual's secretion burden. This technique can be performed at home with the aid of a caregiver, but it is essential to follow the recommendations of a healthcare provider.
It is important to note that while postural drainage can be highly effective, it may cause complications such as brain or heart abnormalities, low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, physical discomfort, heart palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion, blue skin, severe pain, indigestion, vomiting, or coughing blood. If any of these symptoms occur during or after postural drainage, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Coughing can be stimulated by breathing in deeply and then strongly exhaling, helping to remove unwanted mucus from the body. It is recommended to perform postural drainage exercises at least 1.5 hours after a meal to prevent vomiting.
In summary, postural drainage is a valuable technique used to help individuals with respiratory conditions manage excess mucus in their lungs. By combining targeted body positioning, percussion, vibration, and effective coughing or suctioning, this method can significantly improve the quality of life for those affected by these conditions. However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for personalised guidance and to monitor for potential complications.
References:
[1] Postural drainage for cystic fibrosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cff.org/Life-with-CF/Caregiving/Postural-drainage/
[2] Postural drainage for cystic fibrosis. (2018, October 29). Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/postural-drainage-for-cystic-fibrosis
[3] Postural drainage. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystic-fibrosis/treatment/physiotherapy/postural-drainage/
[4] Postural drainage. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/postural-drainage
[5] Postural drainage. (2017, November 17). Retrieved from https://www.medicinenet.com/postural_drainage/article.htm
Caregivers play an essential role in administering postural drainage for individuals with conditions like cystic fibrosis, a chronic disease under the category of medical-conditions and chronic-diseases. This health-and-wellness technique involves using science to utilize gravity to drain mucus from different lung segments through specific positions, deep breathing, percussion, vibration, and shaking. While fitness-and-exercise like deep breathing can be beneficial, mental-health considerations should also be taken into account because postural drainage sessions may cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, or physical discomfort. Therapies-and-treatments like postural drainage should be performed under the guidance of a healthcare provider to ensure safe practices and minimize potential complications, such as brain or heart abnormalities, low blood pressure, or coughing blood.
