SmartVest Blog

“Huff cough” is a popular coughing exercise that works to remove phlegm from the airways. This technique is typically performed in combination with airway clearance therapy to help loosen the mucus, so it becomes easier to cough out. In fact, all forms of airway clearance rely on good coughs to prevent mucus buildup [1]. However, […]

Did you know that when we cough, our bodies are working hard to protect our lungs and airways?  Though most of us would rather avoid coughing entirely—especially during a presentation, a yoga class, or at night when we’re trying to fall asleep—it’s important to remember that coughing is a natural reflex. In fact, we depend […]

If you regularly follow our blog, then you already know there are different methods that allow your clinician to diagnose a chronic lung condition. A high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, for instance, is used to detect damage to the lungs and airways caused by bronchiectasis, while a regular CT scan or chest x-ray may be […]

Is a chronic lung condition keeping you from living life independently? High frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) is an airway clearance technique that’s typically performed using an inflatable vest and air pulse generator. HFCWO therapy with the SmartVest Airway Clearance System delivers repeated pulses of air that gently squeeze and release the upper chest wall. […]

In an independent, retrospective cohort analysis [1], data was collected and analyzed to assess the efficacy of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients—before and after usage. Insurance claims data assessed key measures such as hospitalizations, treated pneumonia, and medication usage. Following the introduction of HFCWO vest therapy, the study […]

New to airway clearance? Living with a chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis), makes breathing feel constricted. Though your clinician may prescribe different types of treatment to help you manage your symptoms—such as antibiotics or mucus-thinning medications [1]—airway clearance works to help treat the underlying cause of your chronic symptoms (i.e., mucus buildup).  When mucus […]

Consuming foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and key nutrients, such as protein and fiber, allow our bodies to perform the essential tasks we depend on each day. One such task is breathing.  But did you know that certain foods can actually make breathing more difficult [1]? Oxygen and Food Oxygen plays an important […]

Winter is approaching…actually for many living in the Midwest, it’s already here! Though some of us look forward to the cozy nights in, with hot cocoa in hand in front of a warm fireplace, if you’re living with a chronic lung condition like bronchiectasis or COPD, your joy of the season may be mixed with […]

Short on breath? Living with a chronic lung condition can make your breathing feel constricted—especially during extreme weather changes that cause dryness (i.e., winter) or higher levels of humidity/allergens (i.e., spring and summer). To handle these common temperature fluctuations and keep your lungs filled with fresh—not stale—air, exercise is key. But let’s not limit our […]

Every time we take a breath, air enters our lungs and oxygen from the air moves from our lungs to our blood. Though each part of your respiratory system is essential, there is one area that may be overlooked. In this article, we’ll focus on the importance of cilia, tiny hair-like structures that help prevent […]