Lungs need warm and moist air

Key points

• There are millions of tiny hairs called cilia in your lungs that move back and forth to keep mucus out of your airways.
• Breathing cold and/or dry air thickens the mucus and slows down the cilia, causing a build-up of mucus.
• Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) should be used all the time to make sure the air you breathe is warm and moist so your lungs can function well.

Introduction

Your nose, mouth and throat heat and humidify the air you breathe. After the laryngectomy, you are recommended to use Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) that will make the air warm and moist. See what happens to your lungs, with and without an HME.

Your HME is your ‘new nose’

Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) can have a big impact on your daily life after a laryngectomy. People who use HMEs generally produce less mucus, cough less, clean their stoma less often and tend to have a better night’s sleep. HMEs help to keep the air warm and moist – taking on the functions of your nose, mouth and throat.

Learn more about the cilia

Cilia refers to the millions of tiny hairs that sweep back and forth in our lungs. We all have mucus in our lungs which traps dust and germs from the air we breathe in. The role of the cilia is to transport the mucus out of our lungs.

Your lungs and cilia function best when the air you breathe is at body temperature and 100% humidity when it reaches your lungs. If the air you breathe is cold and/or dry, the cilia will be less active, resulting in mucus buildup.

By using an HME all day and all night, you can avoid these problems. An HME heats and moisturises the air you breathe, so the cilia can keep up their normal activity.

If you are using an HME for the first time, the mucus buildup will clear out so you might experience a little more coughing than usual. Don't worry as this is only temporary.

HMEs are proven to reduce:

• Coughing
• Mucus production
• Need for stoma cleaning
• Airway irritation

HMEs are proven to boost:

• Quality of life
• Speech
• Hygiene
• Sleep
• Lung health