Why do copd patients do pursed lip breathing?

When it comes to breathing techniques, there’s no denying that pursed lip breathing is a favorite among COPD patients. But why do they do it? You might think that the answer is simple – “because their doctors told them to!” – but actually, there’s more to it than that. Let’s explore the ins and outs of pursed lip breathing in all its glory!

A Quick Overview of COPD

Before we dive into pursed lip breathing specifically, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about what COPD actually is. It stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and encompasses a range of lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main symptoms are shortness of breath (especially during exercise), wheezing or coughing, chest tightness or pain, and excess mucus production.

COPD affects millions of people worldwide and is typically caused by smoking cigarettes or exposure to air pollution over an extended period.

At its most basic level, pursed lip breathing involves taking slow deep breaths in through your nose and then exhaling slowly through puckered lips as if you were whistling.

It can be used in various contexts – for example when feeling breathless after climbing stairs or walking up inclines / hills etc., during intense physical activity like running sprints; practicing yoga+etc… you name it! While not completely eliminating symptoms like wheezing or coughing altogether from people with COPDs who use this method regularly notice significant improvements in their ability work out /function normally.

How Does It Work?

The reason behind using purse-lipbreathing has much do with respiratory mechanics which have connections with other organs including heart & diaphragm muscle(s). When someone with a similar condition inhales deeply via mouth their chest cavity is filled with air causing their lungs to inflate. If they release it quickly or simply exhales through the mouth, then air escapes rapidly and creates a wheezing sound during expiration. It’s because in this case that the airways collapse making it difficult for them to breathe and especially taking another breath set of chain reaction; furthermore strained diaphragm may lead to acid reflux, shortness of breath etc.From all these symptoms, pursed lip breathing comes handy.

But wait there’s more! When you purse your lips (just imagine being an avid fish kisser),you create resistance which helps build up pressure within lowest portions /alveoli] of lungs where gas exchange occurs..This slows airflow out of your body helping keep smaller bronchioles open while rest are collapsing due inspiration/exhalation process. Thus ensuring proper oxygen saturation levels an lesser accumulation carbon dioxide levels Go team Pursed Lip Breath Squad!

If you want to try pursed lip breathing yourself, here’s how:

1) Sit comfortably in a relaxed position – i.e not posing for SI swimwear edition

2) Inhale through your nose for around three seconds counting slowly from one Mississippi by keeping shoulders levelled/aligned.

3) Press lips together as if pouting but rememberdecrease media volume , I’m watching with my parents right now

4) Exhale slowly counting approximately seven Mississippi until stressor or heavy sensation diminishes,

5) Repeat steps 2-4 🙂

Tips For Making The Most Of Pursed Lip Breathing

Like anything new that we try in life practice makes perfect so don’t worry if things go wrong initially.Hence here are few helpful tips I have gathered throughout my life –

  • Try practising at times when you’re feeling best

(Hint: Arise early larks alike!).

  • Start small- In the beginning try practising for 5 minutes and gradually increase sessions in futurewin small,baby steps forward!

  • Expand your comfort level-After initial weeks, switch between sets of practice times across day(make it a habit)

Keep practicing regularly – suggested than minimum twice daily till fully integrated as subconscious habit.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, pursed lip breathing has proved immensely helpful to those people dealing with COPDs or asthma-like symptoms; let me give a breakdown of its benefits again:

  • Reduced feel especially breathlessness and exertion during physical activity like running.

  • Better Control over breathing when faced with triggering situations(walking uphill etc.).

  • Encourages complete emptying your lungs while removing trapped air by thus improving lung function over time.

In summary,Pursed-lipbreathing is an easy-to-implement technique that can go a long way towards relieving symptoms associated with COPD.It helps ensure proper gas exchange levels keeping smaller bronchioles open whilst expanding the patience’s overall air capacity making them cope up better. It involves no equipment, cost or commitment other than ongoing practise so why not give it whirl today? Purse on Brothers & Sisters!

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