5 Breathing Exercises for COPD Patients

Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) leaving you out of breath? Simple exercises can strengthen the muscles you use to breathe stronger, making it easier for you to take in air and manage shortness of breath.

QUICK FACTS

COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries. Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking.

“300 million individuals worldwide have COPD.”

Symptoms of COPD

It’s often associated with other conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

• wheezing
• chest tightness
• shortness of breath
• large amounts of mucus that collect in the lungs

These symptoms can worsen with time, but practicing these five breathing exercises can help you manage them.

Pursed Lip Breathing

This breathing exercise helps you slow your breathing and stay calm. It can be especially helpful before you start an activity or any time you feel short of breath.

Benefits:

• Promotes relaxation
• Releases air trapped in the lungs
• Reduces shortness of breath

Coordinated Breathing

Coordinated breathing can be performed when you’re exercising or feeling anxious. You can practice coordinated breathing in just 2 steps as follows:

1. Inhale through your nose before you begin your exercise.
2. Now while pursing your lips, breathe out through your mouth during the most strenuous part of the exercise.

Deep Breathing

Deep breathing exercise helps your body take in more fresh air and prevent air getting trapped in your lungs. As a result, you won’t feel short of breath.

Huff Coughing

Huff coughing or controlled coughing, which takes place deep within the lungs, loosens and then carries mucus through the airways without leading to collapse. It also saves oxygen.

This exercise helps you cough up mucus without making your feel too tired. Here’s how to practice the huff cough exercise:

• Sit on a chair with both feet on the floor. Lean slightly forward.
• Fold your arms across your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose.
• Lean forward and exhale, pressing your arms into your belly.
• Slightly open your mouth and cough two to three times while making the sounds “ha, ha, ha”. Make your coughs short and sharp.
• Gently and slowly inhale through your nose.
• Rest

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragm is one of the most important muscles used for breathing and this breathing exercise helps strengthen the diaphragm. It is also known as belly breathing. Here’s how to do:

• Lie on your back with knees bent. You can put a pillow under your knees for support.
• Place one hand on your belly below your rib cage. Place the other hand on your chest.
• Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of three. Your belly and lower ribs should rise, but your chest should remain still.
• Tighten your stomach muscles and exhale for a count of six through slightly puckered lips.

Wrapping Up

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), people with COPD who use breathing exercises experience greater improvements in exercise capacity than those who don’t.

Still got query related to COPD? Talk to us.