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Cough Assist Machine for ALS
Part of Your ALS Guide
Open source (opens in a new tab)Link checked August 2026
About this source
Your ALS Guide’s practical guide.
Where this source is used
Used in 12 places across 1 domain.
Questions
Breathing
Cough Assist Devices
- What does using cough assist feel like, and how is it used day to day?
Used across the whole answer
- What does using cough assist feel like, and how is it used day to day?
Supports this
“How often a cough assist device is used varies, from daily routine use to use mainly during chest infections.”
Advises routine use, for example morning and evening, even when nothing feels like it needs clearing, as therapy rather than as a response to symptoms. Note that this source is written for a United States audience.
You should use your cough assist regularly, even when you don’t feel you have anything in your lungs to clear.
How often should I use it? - What is a cough assist device and how does it help?
Used across the whole answer
- What is a cough assist device and how does it help?
Supports this
“How often a cough assist device is used varies. Some people are advised to use it every day as a routine, and others mainly when the chest is congested or during a chest infection.”
A practical guide that advises routine use, for example morning and evening, even when nothing feels like it needs clearing. Note that this source is written for a United States audience.
You should use your cough assist regularly, even when you don’t feel you have anything in your lungs to clear.
How often should I use it? - What should I ask my team about cough and secretion support?
Used across the whole answer
- Why can coughing and clearing mucus become harder in ALS/MND?
Used across the whole answer
Resources
Breathing
- Cough Assist Devices
Further reading
Explains what a cough assist machine is, how it helps clear mucus when your cough weakens, and what using one is like day to day.
Cough Assist Devices
- What does using cough assist feel like, and how is it used day to day?
Further reading
Practical detail on using a cough assist device
- What is a cough assist device and how does it help?
Further reading
A plain explanation of what a cough assist machine does and when it helps
- What should I ask my team about cough and secretion support?
Further reading
Background on cough support to help frame your questions
- When might cough support be introduced?
Further reading
When cough support is usually considered in ALS/MND
- Why can coughing and clearing mucus become harder in ALS/MND?
Further reading
What cough assist does and when it helps in ALS/MND
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