Conditions

Airway Clearance for Treatment of Chronic Lung Conditions

LIVING WITH
A CHRONIC LUNG CONDITION

Hundreds of millions of people today are living with chronic lung conditions.

These conditions can weaken the airways, increase mucus production, and cause infection and inflammation, making it difficult to breathe easily. Patients with suchconditions, which include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, and others, as well as other conditions that weaken respiratory muscles such as neuromuscular disorders, may require assistance with the recruitment and removal of the mucus that is blocking their airways.

When mucus builds up in the lungs, bacteria can grow, which can lead to additional lung infections and cause further damage to the lungs.

BENEFITS OF
AIRWAY CLEARANCE THERAPY

Airway clearance therapy helps to loosen the mucus so that it can be cleared from the lungs. A variety of techniques may be used on their own or together to help dislodge the mucus from the airways, which can then be cleared by either coughing or suction.

The techniques include breathing therapies and exercise, manual chest physiotherapy provided by a caregiver or therapist, and therapy with the assistance of a device designed to either help open the airways or vibrate the chest walls to help loosen the mucus. Patient care teams may utilize a range of techniques to provide the best and most appropriate care for their patients.

NEONATAL AND INFANT
RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

Newborns & infants are vulnerable to a range of respiratory disorders, all of which could present signs of respiratory distress4.

Neonatal and infant patients may suffer from various medical conditions such as atelectasis (lung collapse), pneumonia (lung consolidation), cystic fibrosis (excessive mucus causing atelectasis and hyperinflation), respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis (virus that causes excessive mucus production and can be life threatening in premature babies), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (which often occurs as a result of the infant patient being ventilated) and neuromuscular diseases.

These patients require the most gentle, yet the most critical care treatment.

CHRONIC
OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

It is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke and urban air pollution2. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production and wheezing.

People living with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. It is considered to be the third leading cause of death and is substantially underdiagnosed3. With over 65 million people living with moderate to severe COPD, it is important to provide treatment options that make living and breathing easier.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

GUNNAR ESIASON DISCUSSES CYSTIC FIBROSIS AIRWAY
CLEARANCE TREATMENT OPTIONS

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic lung disorder that impacts more than 70,000 people globally1.

It is caused by an inherited mutated gene from both parents. Although there is currently no cure, there have been advancements in treatment options that have helped to improve and extend the lives of those living with the disorder. Patients living with CF often suffer from recurring lung infections, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a persistent cough, as well as digestive challenges.

Hear how Gunnar Esiason uses his Frequencer® to treat his airway clearance challenges.

THE FREQUENCER®

FOR NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LUNG CONDITIONS

The Frequencer® provides airway clearance therapy and promotes bronchial drainage in an innovative way, using acoustics, acting on both the lungs and on the mucus.

This form of chest physiotherapy provides a convenient and non-invasive alternative to harsh and painful percussive and shaking techniques. The ability of sound waves to easily travel through the chest, enables the Frequencer® to use minimal external thorax manipulation, allowing the treatment to be indicated for all patients, from neonates to elderly adults with respiratory ailments.

The Frequencer® uses sound waves that match the resonance frequency of the lungs which causes the lungs to vibrate and the viscosity of the mucus to decrease, making the Frequencer® an ideal solution for any patient requiring help with airway clearance.

FOOTNOTES

1 Pulmonary Fibrosis Now: https://pulmonaryfibrosisnow.org/2018/08/15/whats-difference-between-pulmonary-fibrosis-copd-cystic-fibrosis/
2 The Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
3 Quaderi, S.A. and Hurst, J.R.: The unmet global burden of COPD. Global Health, Epidemiology and Genomics 2018;3 e4
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818233/