Air Trapping? PLEASE HELP

[DustinS85]

So my FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, SVC, Diffusion Capacity, and TLC are all NORMAL. My FEF 25 - 75% is abnormal (76%), my RV is abnormal (3.03L 169%), and RV/TLC (36%)..... My doctor said I have air trapping and mid air flow is abnormal. The pulmonologist said I may have mild asthma. What is air trapping? Should I be worried?

[hypercat54]

Air trapping is exactly what it means. It is possible for air to be trapped in the lower parts of the lungs and it feels like you can't take a deep breath. To help release this learn some breathing exercises and there are loads online. Unless this is severe it is not going to affect you that much. x

[DustinS85 in reply to hypercat54]

My doctor said I MAY have mild asthma, and he acted like it wasn't even concerning to him. Isn't 3.03L 169% RV a severe air trapping?

[hypercat54 in reply to DustinS85]

Sorry I haven't a clue about numbers but if your doctor said you may have mild asthma then that is why he isn't concerned. The only suggestion I have is to go back to him and ask about the air trapping. x

[Annie31]

Breathing exercises as recommended by Hypercat. This is what I do and it does help to relieve the discomfort. I also find a little burping helps too!! 😂

[DustinS85 in reply to Annie31]

What do you look up for air trapping breathing exercises?

[Annie31 in reply to DustinS85]

Pursed Lip Breathing exercises and there are loads on you-tube to watch and learn! This exercise both relieves and prevents. It's a case of remembering to do it when exerting or exercising to prevent. Takes a bit of practice!

Also breathing using the diaphragm (belly breathing) as opposed to using upper chest muscles. Again plenty of info on you-tube

[DustinS85 in reply to Annie31]

So Air trapping can be caused by anxiety? You mention chest breathing...that's why I ask.

[Annie31 in reply to DustinS85]

Generally from what I understand, and I stand corrected from anyone if this is not right, but it comes from either hyperventilating in an anxiety situation or specifically from inhaling more air than exhaling, hence the excess air being trapped. This is where the pursed lip breathing exercise comes in. Basically you exhale twice as long as you inhale. Hope this helps

[Annie31 in reply to Annie31]

Just to add you breathe in through your nose with mouth closed and exhale through mouth ie. Pursed lips

[Hidden]

You seem really anxious and worried I wouldn’t be at all, it’s just a bit of air trapped in the lungs cause your not exhaling enough like other people have said belly breathing using the diaphragm helps, you use your diaphragm to push your lungs which helps all the air escape out the lungs which then can be replaced by now fresh air, as long as your still breathing and feeling okey it’s fine, there’s plenty of medication for asthma and they’ll keep an eye on you so don’t let your anxiety take over and mild asthma is minimal you shouldn’t worry one bit medication is so advanced

[knitter]

One tip I found which helps with air trapping is to rest one hand on the upper chest and one on the lower.....then breathe gently with as relaxed shoulders and diaphragm as you can, so that you can feel your lower hand move more than your upper.

The key is to relax and breathe gently through your nose only. Relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation have helped me relax tight chest muscles, and release trapped air.

Breathe in gently and belly goes out in a relaxed way.....and no shoulders up round my ears.

Try the pursed lip breathing technique too, gently, and repeat a few times.

[carolg1]

Hi Dustin, if you look I have put a post on hear re air trapping I suffer with it and it can become so awful so don’t ignore it too much and get some good advice on how to move it on .. I’m just crying a few different things out so I will post any miracle I find and praying really hard that’ I do , good luck n take care xxx

[donut43]

The clue is to untrap the air with breathing exercises. You can fid them on this site through BLF also through a RESP team suggested by your GP.

Dan