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 name for lung diseases in which your lungs no longer work properly. This makes it difficult to breathe properly and get enough oxygen. Oxygen that you need for a pleasant daily life. Although COPD cannot be cured, you can ensure that it affects you as little as possible with the right breathing exercises. How? Our physiotherapist is happy to explain it to you in this informative blog post.
COPD explained in brief
What is COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? With this lung disease, your lungs are damaged. You often experience shortness of breath, even during everyday activities. Climbing stairs, walking (short) stretches and doing groceries are no longer so easy. There are various causes of COPD, such as smoking, (hereditary) lung diseases and harmful substances. How the disease develops is different for everyone. The course of this lung disease cannot therefore be accurately predicted. There are good breathing exercises that you can perform for COPD to make life as pleasant as possible.
Breathe relaxed
One of the breathing exercises for COPD that our physiotherapist recommends is to try breathing relaxed. Breathe in as calmly as possible through your nose or mouth and then out through your mouth. Try to control your breathing without coughing. 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 you are increasingly successful at this breathing exercise.
Deep breaths
Deep breathing can be a little more difficult than relaxing breathing. With this breathing exercise you are supposed to breathe in as deeply as possible through your nose or mouth. Hold your breath for two to three seconds, after which you breathe out slowly through your mouth. Don't try to let out all the breath at once, but really take your time. This is one of the good breathing exercises for COPD, because it gives you more control over your lungs. This gives you more air behind the mucus in your small airways.
Huffing
Huffing is useful if you want to get mucus from the small airways to the large airways. Breathe in calmly and exhale sharply and quickly, keeping your mouth and throat open. You can best compare this breathing exercise for COPD with fogging up a mirror with your breath. Huff two to three times and take breaks in between. It is best to practice this exercise first with our physiotherapist, so that you are sure that you can lift properly at home.
Controlled coughing
Is the mucus higher up in your throat? Then take a deep breath and cough in a controlled manner. Sometimes you may cough up mucus, but other times this may not 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 is happy to give you advice on how to best approach this exercise.
Getting started with breathing exercises for COPD
After this blog post, you will know what good breathing exercises are for COPD. Be sure to ask during your COPD treatment by our physiotherapist in Tilburg for tips. 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 info@fysi.nl or call/text to +31 (0)13 543 58 41.