What to do if the bedridden elderly have phlegm that cannot be discharged?

For the elderly, if they rest in bed, their body functions will often decline. Sometimes they will have phlegm but cannot cough it out, which will make them very uncomfortable. In daily life, we must prevent the elderly from having phlegm but cannot cough it out. You can give them more water to help them cough up the phlegm. In addition, you can also use steam inhalation or make a simple sputum suction device, which is also a better method.

What to do if the bedridden elderly have phlegm that cannot be discharged?

Elderly patients who are bedridden for a long time are easily susceptible to respiratory infections and pneumonia due to their weak constitution, weak coughs, and thick sputum. Sometimes sticky phlegm blocks the stool and makes it difficult to cough it out, which may cause cyanosis and breathing difficulties, and may even threaten life. Therefore, keeping the airways open can reduce respiratory complications.

1. Drink more water

Eat light food; avoid catching cold and prevent common cold.

2. Change your body position frequently and pat your back regularly

Especially before coughing fits in the morning and evening, encourage patients to take deep breaths in order to cough up phlegm.

3. Steam inhalation

Pour boiling water into a teacup or a teapot filled with Chinese medicinal herbs such as chrysanthemum, green fruit, and puffed sea. Put your mouth toward the cup and inhale the hot steam for 15 to 30 minutes each time, 2 to 4 times a day. This can moisten the throat, dilute phlegm, and facilitate expectoration.

4. Simple sputum suction device

When sputum is excessive, use a thicker sterilized catheter connected to a 100 ml syringe, insert one end of the catheter deep into the patient's mouth, and suck out the sputum. Keep a bowl of clean water aside and flush the catheter at any time to prevent it from being blocked by phlegm.

When the patient suddenly has phlegm blocking his throat and affecting his breathing, every second counts. Immediately wrap your index finger with a handkerchief or gauze, put it into the patient's throat, and take out the phlegm; or suck out the phlegm through mouth-to-mouth.

Oral care for bedridden elderly people

Equipment: a pair of tweezers, a cotton ball, a tongue depressor (or a bamboo chopstick instead), and mouthwash (usually normal saline, 1:5000 furacilin or 3% boric acid solution).

Method: Let the elderly lie on his side, facing the caregiver, use a tongue depressor to gently open the cheek, use tweezers to pick up a cotton ball with mouthwash, and wipe the inside and outside of the teeth, occlusal surface, tongue, oral mucosa, hard palate, etc. along the longitudinal direction of the teeth from the inside to the outside. After washing, help the elderly rinse their mouth and dry their face. If there are ulcers on the oral mucosa, you can sprinkle Xi Lei San or Qing Dai San. If the elderly have dentures, you should help them take them off, rinse them with cold water, and let them rinse their mouths before putting them on.