Leaning forward actually does help. An anti-anxiety medication helps too - when you get short of breathe you get anxious, and the more anxious you get the more short of breathe you get. It's a bad cycle. The anti-anxiety drug also relaxes smooth muscle, which is what your lungs are. Also, as I stated earlier, caffeine helps. Some people find help by sitting in the bathroom with the hot shower running - the steam helps some. Hope this helps.

Nothing, as long as they are making noise they are ok, it is just like a child and choking do not interfere as long as they are making noise. They are ok.

Always need to stay well hydrated.

I was advised to drink water as much as you can as it loosens the mucus and is easier to cough up it worked for me. @ Dorothy evans hugs to all

Find another Dr.So sorry ..that has to be very scary for you both.