What Is Positive Expiratory Pressure Therapy

Posted by Sophia Addison on February 26th, 2018

For those with lung disease the airway clearance of the throat tends to get impaired, which then leads to either inflammation, becomes more prone to lung infections, or further destroys the tissue of the lung. Many doctors prescribe chest physiotherapy also known as CPT, and postural drainage is known as PD to clear the airway, but these are usually considered to be more traditional and takes a toll on the patients because it takes a lot of time as well as effort to be able to perform these tasks. In order to provide patients with a method that is less invasive, and tedious, positive expiratory pressure known as PEP has been introduced as an airway clearance treatment that can be effectively utilized as an alternative to other procedures.

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How Does It Work

There are many devices on the market, one of which include acapella, that work perfectly for PEP therapy, the device either comes with a mouthpiece or a face mask wherein the patient then takes in a breath and thereafter exhales slowly in to a valve that is meant to be one way thus allowing for exhaling to happen with a certain amount of resistance in place. This breathing is then done repeatedly for ten to twenty times and is then meant to be trailed by a forced cough or exhalation which plays a role in clearing out the airways of any discharges that may have been collected within. Devices as such help with sending pressurized air towards the collected secretions which are then forced to move towards the larger airways allowing for the liquid to be expelled easily. 

These positive expiratory pressure treatments tend to be conducted for at least fifteen to twenty minutes, two times a day depending on the type of patient. Any patient with long period lung illness will be able to make great use of these PEP devices by being able to carry out the therapy independently without the requirement for any help from a nurse or any other caregiver.

Advantages of PEP Therapy

As opposed to all the other types of invasive procedures, this is rather easy and convenient to use and can result in significantly improving mucus clearance from the lungs, and with the continuous receiving of the therapy, the number of times you may be prone to lung infections will be reduced significantly as well. The number of antibiotics that you may have to consume will undoubtedly reduce, while also improving bronchodilation. The therapy will tend to increase patient compliance while being able to decrease the number of times of having stayed at hospitals.

According to research, it is stated that PEP therapy helps to significantly improve the process of removing bronchial secretions and have proven to be extremely effective and inexpensive process, is highly beneficial for pediatric and handicapped patients alike. If you are going through a similar instance, it is best you speak to your doctor, of whom will tell you what is best for your condition and if PEP therapy is being advised to you, you should definitely consider opting for it.