I've always noticed this about myself: My "normal" breathing cycle is about twice as long as a regular person's. I also feel my belly move significantly when I breathe this way. My O2 sat is always at 96-97% and my resting BPM is about 80.
Whenever I try to breathe "properly," the breathing cycle is about half as long but I always feel like I'm out of breath. When I switch from normal to proper breathing, I can see the O2 sat rise to 100% within seconds and BPM drop to 70. I feel like this is healthier, based solely on oximeter readings, but it is uncomfortable.
Is this normal? Should I see a pulmonary doc?
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according to several respiratory physio that I have met normal breathing for most people is shallow breathing only using the upper chest muscles. Diaphragm breathing is the correct method and the stomach expands on the in breath first. The out breath should be twice the length of the in breath, When consciously doing diaphragm breathing to start with it feels different but after practise it becomes the normal. My COPD nurse checks my breathing technique when I have a check up, also the physio on the pulmonary rehab course advised on breathing exercises. A respiratory physio may be a place to start if you are concerned
Diaphragm breathing is normal for me but I was concerned because my O2 sat was always at 97% unless I did the upper chest breathing. But I tried lengthening my out breath and my O2 sat went up to 100% & BPM went down to 70 (same as the shallow breathing). Interesting. I wonder how this all works.
Just to add to Biker's great reply, I learnt on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) course that the diaphragm is a muscle which needs to be kept in good condition for those of us with lung disease. Deep Diaphragm Breathing is one technique we use for lung stamina, physical stamina, relieve anxiety when stressed, to calm when frightened/in panic, in meditation, yoga & pilates as well as those you've discovered raising O2 & lowering pulse/heart rate. I add panic & fright because I used it years ago when I was a trainer in front of quite educated people & on the first day i was terrified, a bit like stage fright. When in panic we shallow breathe which is no good when you need to project yr voice to back of room. Your voice comes out in a squeak unless you get O2 to tge bottom of your lungs. I'm sure gentle practice will help with the tightness of unused muscles........naturally, if you're really worried you must see your GP.
There was a post a couple of days ago on this very topic, I'll find the link and add it in a mo.... you can also put deep diaphragm breathing in the search bar here and look up technique on youtube. Also, similar posts in 'Related Posts' to the right (or scroll down on a phone).
Thanks for the info. I just started diaphragm breathing probably since I needed to start modulating my voice. Good to know that it's generally healthy to do.
I shallow breath as well, but it pushes my BP up. I was diagnosed with asthma 30+ years ago but a recent visit to the Pulmonary Consultant said it's Institial Lung (Pulmonary Fibrosis) disease caused by RA and not diagnosed. I spoke to a Anaesthetist last month and after going through my notes she said I must have been doing a lot of exercise? I have done watersports and cycling for 60+ years never even considering I have an issue.
I was very into sport too. When my breathing declined I though it was my fault for not doing enough exercise at first. It appears our lungs go on to develop other conditions and vice versa. A part of me thinks maybe it was just that I had more than one missed diagnosis after all. Now I am doing a lot of lung Pysio after a very rough time a few years ago. Good luck.
I was referred via my Lung Consultant to NHS . I think a Gp can refer but you would have to check. Due to Sport injuries and later Arthriis I have done a lot of Pysio since young. I thought what could I learn about Lung Pysio and breathing etc. Everything !! Changed my whole view point. I soon realised how weak some of my breathing muscles had become and where I had adapted incorrect tech due to Lung damage. I saw my Pysio a few times one to one later on so we could adapt a training plan just for me and all my other injuries-Private.
Of course I was taught lung clearance and how to use my equipment via NHS as well. On my last chest infection made a massive difference to my recovery. BUT key to all is getting a diagnosis which is correct and not delayed by many years. That is something that has been a huge challenge for me in the past. Good luck.
Southwestbysouth, I think you'd benefit greatly from the Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) course if you can get on one. Usually a referral from GP, respiratory nurse or consultant. The course is usually run by respiratory physiotherapists, there were two running mine. The course is 6 weeks long consisting of two x half days per week, pre-course assessment, one of tailored exercise to develop lung stamina& one hour of education on how best to look after yourself. A lot of members have respiratory physiotherapists to teach them how to expel mucus - amongst other things like perhaps dysfunctional breathing help.
No idea what you mean by this. What you refer to as 'normal' would be about 12-16 breaths per minute (see below). We should breath in through our noses for about 3-4 second and out through the mouth for about 5-6 or so.
We breath by opening up our rib cage and lowering our diaphragm which lowers the pressure in the lungs and allows air pressure (14.6 lbs psi) to push the air in. We take out the oxygen and exhale by pushing the ribs in and the diaphragm up. It take a bit longer due to having to contest air pressure.
We do all this unconsciously as a reflex action unless we decide to think about it. In the difficult world of |COPSD we tend to call this 'controlled breathing'.
You can speed up breathing but its can lead to problems if maintained. You can slow it down and the same applies if maintained. But of course trained breathers - opera singers, deep sea diver, pearl divers etc - learn extreme control techniques.
I suggest you do not worry about your breathing rate as such. But if you want to manage it then i suggest the following technique. Find an image in your home about the same shape as your TV screen (which will do fine). Then scan along the top and down the side, then up and along again. Now, without changing the rate of scanning, breath IN on the short sides and OUT on the longer top and bottom. Keep doing this until it starts to feel natural. You are now controlling your breathing. You will find this a huge help if you are confronted by shortness of breath.
REF: At rest, a normal breathing rate is approximately between 12-16 breaths per minute. The main muscle used for breathing is the diaphragm.
Breathing control advice | CUH - Cambridge University Hospitals
good day my doctor told me to try the gym to help me breathe better / ihave asma / copd age 59 male my peak flow on morning are 200 thats rough biut if i go in to hospital what can they do / they say excerises are good for you so i do our local gym 2 a week see what you think matey ghoust rider
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