Deep Coughing

Deep coughing helps keep your lungs clear. If you’ve had surgery, this will help you get better faster. Deep coughing also helps you breathe easier and may prevent a lung infection or other complications. Follow these steps to do deep coughing.

Step 1

• Sit on the edge of a bed or a chair. You can also lie on your back with your knees slightly bent.

• Lean forward slightly.

• If you've had surgery on your chest or stomach, hold a pillow or rolled-up towel firmly against your cut (incision) with both hands. Hug the pillow.

• Breathe out normally.

Step 2

• Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.

• Then breathe out fully through your mouth. Repeat this breathing in and out a second time.

• For the third time, take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Fill your lungs with as much air as you can.

Step 3

• Cough 2 or 3 times in a row. Try to push all of the air out of your lungs as you cough. Cover your cough, if possible, with a tissue or your elbow.

• If you cough up mucus, spit it into a tissue. Don't swallow it.

• Relax and breathe normally.

• Repeat the above steps as directed.

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water for 20 seconds afterward.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider

• Signs of infection, if you've had surgery. These include redness, swelling, drainage, or warmth at your incision site, or pus or fluid draining from the site

• Minor bleeding from surgical site

• Brownish, white, or bloody sputum

• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting

• More pain

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

• New cough

Call 911

Shortness of breath may be a sign of a serious health problem. Call 911right away if you have shortness of breath that gets worse or you have trouble breathing, especially with any of the symptoms below:

• Confusion or trouble staying awake

• Loss of consciousness or fainting

• Chest pain or tightness

• Trouble breathing or wheezing

• Skin, lips, or fingernails turn blue

• Coughing up blood

• Severe pain

• Dizziness or weakness

• Severe bleeding or new opening at surgical site