When we cough, we always lose a relatively large amount of air and thus CO₂. Therefore, the basic rule is to hold your breath for 10–15 seconds after coughing to compensate for the loss of CO₂ again.

However, if coughing does not follow any actual purpose, but just occurs as a symptom of hyperventilation, then you can try to suppress coughing attacks with the following techniques:

• drink a glass of warm water, swallow saliva.
• cough only against the closed lips.
• hold your breath and walk around
• avoid dry room air / use a humidifier.
• Press hands above the chest, massage areas below the collarbones.
• Humming (especially with stuck mucus).

If downward running mucus is the trigger for the cough, there is the possibility of learning the so-called autogenous drainage by a physiotherapist.

Also here, as with coughing, CO₂ is lost.

Laugh well, laugh a lot. But laugh more often with your mouth closed than »out loud«.

When yawning, the same effect is achieved if you keep your mouth closed, move only your jaw, and draw in as little air as possible through your nose.

You should also pause to compensate after sneezing, as with coughing. Try not to breathe in too deeply through your mouth to sneeze.

If you have any questions about this topic or wish to get a personal consultation with our practice, please schedule an appointment. Appointments can take place in our Kaiserslautern office or over the phone.

📅   Schedule Appointment

Existing patients may also contact us by using our app.