Simple Exercises (not breathing) for breathlessness

[Polzovatel]

Hi,

Could anybody recommend any simple exercises that could be done during episodes of breathlessness?

I noted that I breath slightly better when lying on the left side.

Also read somewhere that bending down can help.

Anything else?

[stone-UK]

Hi

Look at theses, home exercise from my pulmonary rehablitation class.

healthunlocked.com/blf/post...

[Polzovatel in reply to stone-UK]

Thanks a lot. will try!

xx

[knitter]

I find sitting slightly bent forward with my hands on my knees can help.....bending really over makes me worse.

Or when standing, bend slightly over a chair back or table for support, or even against a wall.

Have you tried using a small hand held fan just aimed upwards on your face.

Remember if you are really really breathless ...more than usual...get some help

[Littlechoceclair in reply to knitter]

Hi Knitter just wanted to let you know the reason you find it helps you when you sit forward with hands on knees, standing leaning a bit on back of chair, or table, or wall is because when you put pressure on your arms via your hands like the leaning against something with outstretched arms it actually opens up the muscles in your neck which in turn opens your lungs more so if ever your feeling short of breath or breathless from walking or doing something just stop and lean on something don't bend over too much if possible though as it will restrict your breathing and not help. It also works when you go to the supermarket and you use a trolley you often find it makes walking around a lot easier. I got a 4 wheeled walker and it helps me do all my walking with ease. I can walk 8 mins without stopping when without it i can do 60 metres. I found this out from my pulmonary physio at rehab class. it is amazing. So everyone if you find your getting breathless just stop and lean on something it works a treat.

Danielle

[Polzovatel]

Thanks, it's just catch 22- the respiratory consultant said that my lungs are deconditioned as I didn't do any exercises in the last 2 years , but when I try to do even simple exercises , or go for a short walk,I feel more breathless .. Also not sure who to get help from- both my Gp and two consultants admitted that they don't have a clue.,,

[knitter in reply to Polzovatel]

Hi can you get a referral for pulmonary rehab classes. You would be monitored there.

[Beth1949]

When I'm breathless after some activity, I find that if I take a long, slow breath in, hold for several seconds, and then slowly breath out thru your lips barely apart. I have found that this slows my breathless down to an even breathing.

[2malinka in reply to Beth1949]

Thanks for that tip, Beth. I have done all the pursed lip breathing etc but I don't get that same relief everyone talks about. I just tried your method and I actually calmed down, and as a result my breathing is more controlled.

Take care

Malinka

[butterfly31851]

practice diaphragmatic breathing.

[knitter]

Hi again....I have a exercise DVD which you can find on the BLF website.

I have a set of hand weights and a stretchy band which I use when watching tv...just keep them handy near your chair.

Try walking up and down inside your house.....maybe just a few steps at first...breathing gently with relaxed diaphragm and closed mouth. Stop and rest then try a bit more.

But keep a careful eye on your breathing rate.....pulmonary rehab would be the best idea. I have never managed to get on a course ....will have to be a bit more forceful.

My local Breathe Easy club used to have a class at the local gym too.

[Help_61]

Sit up lean forward put your hands on your legs relax breath in through your nose and out your mouth deap breath in pursed lips blow out repeat 10-20 times helps

[tamariki]

Pursed lip breathing

Some of us that have emphysema can breathe air into our lungs without

much difficulty...Getting the air our of our lungs is a much different

story....We have to force ourselves to exhale for a much longer time

than we use when we inhale.....This process is called "Pursed Lip

Breathing". The instructions that are generally given say that we

should exhale to a count that is twice as long as the count used on the

inhalation.....If you count to two when you inhale then you should

exhale for a count of four......Just my opinion of course but I say

"BullHockey".........

I believe you should exhale for a minimum count of at least twice the

count of the inhalation....but exhale longer than that...... exhale as

long as it takes to empty your lungs of as much air as you can before

you inhale again.....You can only exhale so much anyway and you will

start to inhale automatically when that point is reached.....

You are trying to get the stale air out of your lungs and replace it

with fresh oxygen enriched air so that your lungs can exchange the

carbon dioxide in your blood for oxygen..... When you are short of

breath or you are in the middle of an anxiety attack you have enough to

worry about without trying to count exactly how long you inhaled and how

long you exhaled......Just pucker up those lips and breathe in through

the nose....then exhale through the puckered (pursed) lips until you are

forced to inhale again.........If you can't inhale through your nose for

some reason or the other then inhale through your mouth........

When you use "Pursed lip Breathing" you will benefit by increasing the

oxygen saturation level in your blood....it should also decrease your

heart rate......decrease your respiration rate....and get you back to a

more normal breathing pattern quicker.....It can put you back in control

of the situation and possibly cut down on the number of emergency trips

to the hospital.......I know it has done that for me.....

[RichardFriedel]

Tightly pressing lips together on an inhale dilates lung airways by reflex.

EDITED