Drainage techniques
BreatheBox Educational Tool
Drainage and inhalation techniques
In the BreatheBox project, several animation videos have been developed that can be used to gain insight into specific breathing techniques employed for the drainage of mucus from the lungs and during nebulization. With these animated films, we aim to visualize certain aspects of the drainage and nebulization techniques. It is not our intention to provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques. For this, you can consult your healthcare professional.
These animated films were created by Cast Animation and were developed with the help of members of the BreatheBox project.
- Christine Baelus en Erika Colen (Asthma and Allergy Association)
- Ann Stroobants (Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association)
- Myriam Vreys (Center for clinical pharmacology UZ Leuven)
- Jessica Blanckaert (independent physiotherapist)
- Filip Pyl (Kinepraktijk Eigenlo)
- Annelies Meeus (Kinepraktijk ’t Magazijn)
- Joris Lens (Kinesistenpraktijk Joris Lens)
- Filip Van Ginderdeuren (UZ Brussel)
- Daphné Bonduel (Zeepreventorium)
The BreatheBox project was supported by the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and these animated videos got additional support by Chiesi, the Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association and the Asthma and Allergy Association.
Supported by
Disclaimer
The information on this website is not intended as a replacement for advice from trained medical professionals, but merely as a tool to provide insight into the functioning of certain breathing techniques. If you have questions about the techniques, we recommend that you contact your healthcare professional.
Mobilab&Care cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no liability for direct or indirect damage of any kind resulting from or in any way related to the use of this website.
Drainage techniques
Drainage techniques are used to remove mucus from the lungs using breathing techniques in patients with increased mucus production. This mucus causes obstructions in the lungs. The videos below explain how slow inhalation, breathing pauses and the position of the body influence the drainage of mucus and ventilation in obstructive lungs. In a separate video we explain how ventilation works in non-obstructive, healthy lungs.
Breathing rate and breathing pause in obstructive lungs
Breathing rate and breathing pause in non-obstructive lungs
How does lung filling work in non-obstructive lungs?
Body position
Inhalation techniques
Aerosol therapy (also called nebulizer therapy) is used to distribute medication, such as mucus thinners, bronchodilators or antibiotics, into the airways. The animated videos explain how to ensure that sufficient medication ends up in the right place in the lungs and what happens if you apply the techniques incorrectly. The videos only deal with aerosol therapy. You can learn more about the correct inhalation techniques for using metered dose aerosols (puffers) and dry powder inhalers via the external resources at the bottom of this page.
