Loosen and Clear Mucus | Practical Tips for Aspergillosis

"Illustration showing practical ways to loosen and clear thick mucus in people with aspergillosis." — Simple techniques including hydration, airway clearance and exercise can help loosen mucus and make it easier to clear.

Originally published: 16 August 2018

Last reviewed: 6 July 2026

Many people living with aspergillosis find that thick, sticky mucus is one of their most frustrating symptoms. It can be difficult to cough up, make breathing harder, disturb sleep and sometimes contribute to repeated chest infections.

This guide explains practical ways to loosen and clear mucus safely. Everyone is different, so you may find that combining several approaches works better than relying on just one.

Key points

Drink enough fluids to help keep mucus from becoming too thick.
Use airway clearance techniques recommended by your respiratory physiotherapist.
Keep as active as your health allows.
Take prescribed medicines exactly as directed.
Use gentle techniques if you are prone to coughing up blood.
Seek urgent medical help if you cough up a large amount of blood, become severely breathless, or think a mucus plug is blocking your airway.

Why does aspergillosis cause thick mucus?

Healthy mucus protects the lungs by trapping dust, bacteria and fungal spores before they are removed by tiny hair-like structures called cilia.

In people with aspergillosis, asthma, bronchiectasis or chronic airway inflammation, mucus can become thicker and stickier. It can then build up in the airways and become harder to clear.

This may lead to:

persistent coughing
breathlessness
wheezing
chest discomfort
recurrent chest infections
mucus plugs that block part of the airway

For more background, read our companion article: Airways Mucus and Aspergillosis.

1. Keep well hydrated

Drinking enough fluid helps prevent mucus from becoming even thicker. Water will not dissolve mucus, but good hydration can make mucus less sticky and easier to clear.

Top tip: sip drinks regularly throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.

Warm drinks may also feel soothing, and some people find they temporarily make mucus easier to cough up.

2. Practise airway clearance techniques

Respiratory physiotherapists teach breathing exercises designed to move mucus from the smaller airways into the larger airways, where it can be coughed out more easily.

Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)

Active Cycle of Breathing Technique, often called ACBT, combines three stages:

gentle relaxed breathing
deep breathing exercises
huff coughing

Many people with bronchiectasis, ABPA and Aspergillus bronchitis find that practising ACBT regularly makes mucus easier to clear.

Huff coughing

A huff is usually gentler and more effective than repeated forceful coughing.

Take a medium-sized breath, then breathe out quickly through an open mouth, as though steaming up a mirror. This helps move mucus upwards while placing less strain on your airways.

Remember: gentle, regular airway clearance is usually more effective than repeated forceful coughing, which can leave you exhausted and irritate your airways.

Postural drainage

Changing your position can allow gravity to help drain mucus from different parts of the lungs. Your respiratory physiotherapist can advise which positions are suitable for you.

Postural drainage may not be appropriate for everyone, especially if you have reflux, heart disease, severe breathlessness or a history of significant haemoptysis.

3. Consider airway clearance devices

Some people benefit from handheld devices that create gentle vibration or resistance while breathing out.

Examples include:

Acapella®
Flutter®
Aerobika®

These devices are commonly used in bronchiectasis care and may help loosen mucus. Ask your respiratory physiotherapist whether one would be suitable for you.

If you have recently coughed up blood, check with your healthcare team before using airway clearance devices, especially devices that create pressure or vibration in the airways.

4. Keep moving

Physical activity is one of the simplest ways to help loosen mucus.

Depending on your health, this may include:

walking
gentle cycling
pulmonary rehabilitation
light strength exercises
stretching and breathing exercises

Even a short walk can stimulate coughing and help move mucus towards the larger airways.

5. Medicines and nebulisers

Your healthcare team may prescribe treatments to improve mucus clearance or treat the underlying cause of excess mucus.

These may include:

inhalers
antifungal medicines
antibiotics
nebulised saline
mucolytic medicines
other treatments recommended by your respiratory team

Nebulised treatments should only be used as prescribed. Some can temporarily worsen wheezing or chest tightness in certain people.

Never start, stop or change medication without discussing it with your healthcare team.

Haemoptysis: what if I cough up blood?

Some people with aspergillosis, particularly those with bronchiectasis or chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), may occasionally cough up blood. This is called haemoptysis.

Haemoptysis can range from a few small streaks of blood in the sputum to larger amounts that need urgent medical attention.

If you notice a small amount of blood, try to remain calm and avoid repeated forceful coughing, which may irritate the airways further. Gentle techniques such as relaxed breathing and huff coughing may be more appropriate until you have spoken to your healthcare team.

Contact your respiratory team or GP for advice, especially if the bleeding is new, becoming more frequent or accompanied by worsening symptoms.

Seek emergency medical help immediately if:

you cough up a large amount of blood
the bleeding continues
you become increasingly breathless
you feel faint, weak or very unwell
you think a mucus plug is stopping you from breathing normally

If your specialist team has given you a personalised haemoptysis action plan, follow that advice.

If you have experienced haemoptysis before, ask your respiratory physiotherapist or respiratory specialist for personalised guidance about airway clearance during and after an episode. They can advise when it is safe to restart techniques such as ACBT, huff coughing or airway clearance devices.

For more information, see:

When should I seek medical advice?

Contact your healthcare team if:

your mucus suddenly becomes much thicker than usual
your mucus changes colour and you feel more unwell
you become increasingly breathless
you develop fever or symptoms of a chest infection
your usual airway clearance techniques are becoming less effective
you start coughing up blood, even in small amounts

Frequently asked questions

Should I keep coughing until all the mucus has gone?

No. Repeated forceful coughing can be exhausting and may irritate your airways. Controlled airway clearance techniques are usually more effective.

Does drinking water dissolve mucus?

No. Water does not dissolve mucus, but good hydration can make mucus less sticky and easier to clear.

Are steam inhalations helpful?

Some people find warm steam soothing, although there is limited evidence that it improves mucus clearance. Avoid very hot steam because of the risk of burns.

Can exercise help clear mucus?

Yes. Many people find that movement helps loosen mucus and makes coughing more productive. Choose activity that is appropriate for your health and pace yourself.

Should I use an airway clearance device?

Some people benefit from devices such as Acapella®, Flutter® or Aerobika®, but they are not suitable for everyone. Ask your respiratory physiotherapist for advice.

References

Author: National Aspergillosis Centre

Last medically reviewed: 6 July 2026

This information is intended to support, not replace, advice from your own healthcare professionals.

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Loosen and Clear Mucus: Practical Self-Help Techniques for People with Aspergillosis