When my Husband was on Hospice they had me use Atropine. They were eye drops that I would give him orally when he needed them. They dried up the secretions. If there is a lot of phlegm you can try turning him on his side and tip his head so the fluid runs out. If the phlegm is in the front part of the mouth you can try using a swab (never your finger) and wiping the tongue and cheeks. But do not use the swab at the back of the throat as that can cause him to gag and possibly vomit. Discuss this with the Hospice Nurse they will probably prescribe something but it is also another sign of decline that they would want to document.
My mother is in the hospital with end of life care. She had a stroke, fell on the floor till I found her on her stomach and also has pneumonia in one lung.
When she got to the hospital she had a lot of phlegm. They suctioned it out of her mouth like at the dentist when they suck out the water during a cleaning.
(Note: Since I started eating red meat [but without bread, potatoes, or other starches], I have had much less mucus. So I question the caution against red meat. But this is the recommendation provided by LungInstitute.com.)
wow..........I saved your list.......I guess I will have to stop eating (haha), I always have some kind of phlegm in my system and often wondered if it was caused by some kind of food(s)...........thanks
My FIL was on Guaifenesin for years--but it was a prescription strength, and it did really help with his deep, deep cough that just was always 'stuck'.
However, if your dad is actively gagging, that's another matter.
Suctioning will work better, and moving him from side to the other side. However, that is a learned skill and pretty gross to do, if you don't have the stomach for the yuckier side of CG.
I agree that this is something Hospice should be handling.
Please call his doctor first but Mucinex can be very helpful with thinning the mucus and allowing it to drain more easily. It can be taken every 12 hours as needed. I am a nurse and my mom has this issue too, Mucinex 1 12 hour tab daily has been very helpful for her. Good luck!
If there is a lot of phlegm you can try turning him on his side and tip his head so the fluid runs out.
If the phlegm is in the front part of the mouth you can try using a swab (never your finger) and wiping the tongue and cheeks. But do not use the swab at the back of the throat as that can cause him to gag and possibly vomit.
Discuss this with the Hospice Nurse they will probably prescribe something but it is also another sign of decline that they would want to document.
When she got to the hospital she had a lot of phlegm. They suctioned it out of her mouth like at the dentist when they suck out the water during a cleaning.
Its helped tremendously.
According to LungInstitute.com, mucus producing foods include:
Red meat
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Ice Cream
Butter
Eggs
Bread
Pasta
Cereal
Bananas
Cabbage
Potatoes
Corn and corn products
Soy products
Sweet desserts
Candy
Coffee
Tea
Soda
Alcoholic beverages
Mucus-reducing foods include:
Salmon
Tuna
Sardines
Flounder
Pumpkin
Pumpkin seeds
Grapefruit
Pineapple
Watercress
Celery
Pickles
Onion
Garlic
Honey or agar
Ginger
Lemon
Cayenne pepper
Chamomile
Olive oil
Broth
Decaf tea
(Note: Since I started eating red meat [but without bread, potatoes, or other starches], I have had much less mucus. So I question the caution against red meat. But this is the recommendation provided by LungInstitute.com.)
It's best to not add meds to old people because meds always has side effects.
My Dad's Nurse said its good for him to spit as it gets it out of his lungs.
However, if your dad is actively gagging, that's another matter.
Suctioning will work better, and moving him from side to the other side. However, that is a learned skill and pretty gross to do, if you don't have the stomach for the yuckier side of CG.
I agree that this is something Hospice should be handling.
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