Have you been diagnosed with COPD? It is then nice to know what good breathing exercises are for COPD. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a collective term for lung diseases in which your lungs no longer work properly. This makes it difficult to breathe properly and to get enough oxygen. Oxygen that you do need for a pleasant daily life. While there is no cure for COPD, proper breathing exercises can help you minimize it. How? Our physiotherapist is happy to explain it to you in this informative blog post.
COPD explained in a nutshell
What is COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease? With this lung disease, your lungs are damaged. You often have a shortness of breath, even with everyday things. Climbing stairs, walking (small) stretches and doing groceries are all not so easy anymore. There are various causes of COPD, such as passive smoking, (hereditary) lung diseases and harmful substances. How the disease develops is different for everyone. The course of this lung disorder is therefore difficult to predict. However, there are good breathing exercises that you can perform with COPD to make life as pleasant as possible.
Breathe relaxed
One of the breathing exercises for COPD that our physiotherapist recommends is to try to relax your breathing. Breathe in through your nose or mouth as calmly as possible and then out through your mouth. Try to control your breathing, without wanting to cough. This can feel quite difficult and annoying, but by really relaxing, this way of breathing often works. If you really focus on relaxed breathing, you will notice that this breathing exercise works better and better.
Deep breaths
Deep breathing can be a bit more difficult than relaxed breathing. In this breathing exercise, you are supposed to breathe in as deeply as possible through your nose or mouth. Hold your breath for a count of two to three, then slowly exhale through your mouth. Don't try to blow out all the breath at once, but really take your time for this. This is one of the good breathing exercises for COPD, because it gives you more control over your lungs. In addition, you get more air behind the mucus in your small airways.
huff
Huffing is useful if you want to get mucus from the small airways to the large airways. Inhale slowly and exhale forcefully and quickly, keeping your mouth and throat open. You can best compare this breathing exercise for COPD to misting a mirror with your breath. Huff two to three times and take breaks in between. It is best to practice this exercise with our physiotherapist first, so that you are sure that you can huff properly at home.
Controlled coughing
Is the mucus higher in your throat? Then take a deep breath and cough under control. Sometimes you cough up mucus, but other times this does not have to be the case. Try not to lose yourself in an uncontrolled coughing fit, but make sure you keep control of this breathing exercise. Our physiotherapist will be happy to advise you on how best to approach this exercise.
Getting started with breathing exercises for COPD
After this blog post, you will know well what good breathing exercises are for COPD. Also be sure to ask during your COPD treatment with us in Tilburg for tips to your physiotherapist. Together we ensure that you have a smaller chance of lung attacks and that your lungs do not deteriorate quickly. For extensive advice and expertise, it is best to make an appointment or contact our practice. You can reach us by emailing to info@fysi.nl or call/app to +31 (0)13 543 58 41.