Air trapping lungs

[Sipple]

What does air trapping fell like and what can be done to relive it

[Katinka46]

It feels as if you cannot fully exhale. That there is still air that you can’t get out. It happens with asthma when the airways become inflamed and air gets stuck the wrong side of the blockage. But in this case it should be only temporary. The best thing to do is to take bronchodilators and as they take effect gently, gently, ease the air out by concentrating on exhaling. Don’t worry about inhaling, just take small breaths in and then slowly exhale. With other conditions the air trapping is permanent, Emphysema, Obliterative Bronchiolitis for instance, and unfortunately the breathing techniques to alleviate it will not work, or not so well. Airtrapping can be seen indirectly on High Resolution CT scans and in Pulmonary Funcation Tests, where it shows in the section where lung volumes can be measured. In that test it is evident in the Residual Volume. Anything over 125% predicted is considered to be abnormal. In my case with OB my RV is 200% predicted.

Bit of a lecture? Sorry, but you did ask.

Tell us a little more about your condition.

All the best

K

[Caspiana]

Hello Sipple .

Katinka gave an excellent reply. I would just add, it helps to eat small meals at intervals. Eating definitely makes the stomach feel more full, very quickly and being full makes breathing harder.

Sending kind regards.

Cas xx 🌻

[Badbessie]

Try Pursed lip breathing A number of people have found it helps.

[O2Trees]

Yes, pursed lip breathing works well as it enables exhalation while stopping the lungs from collapsing. You can find Youtubes showing you how to do it.

I discovered something which works for me: when you have breathed out all you can, without straining, pause, i.e. hold your breath, for a fraction of a second and you'll find that you can exhale a bit more. I do this two or three times when I have more than usual air trapping. Try it, nothing to lose, but you never know, it just might work for you

[Tieber]

Pursed lip breathing is the way one should practice breathing every day for at least half an hour. I also exhale through a straw into a jug of water to practice exhaling as well as blow up a balloon. My fev is 27% and I am 77 yeRs old who attends gym three times a week without oxygen. I've had emphysema for 20 years. It reLly helps believe me.

Irene.

[Hidden]

Hi Sipple

You have had excellent explanations from our friends.

Unfortunately I have air trapping with LAM as cysts block the airways. It is old residual air behind the cysts. Not much I can do about it, apart from steroids which reduce the inflammation. I have bronchodilators but they don’t reach down the lung enough and not behind the cysts.

Depending on what is your condition you will get the relevant advice. For me it is physiotherapy I think which has helped me deal with it without risking rupturing cysts.

Take good care xx

Fran