breathless

[Osha]

hello to al the lungies in this wonderful forum. Some time ago I read somewhere about taking small breaths rather than big ones which slowed your breathing down. There was a method starting with a B Which I can’t remember either. Does anyone know of this if so please reply me. Thanking you in advance

[peege]

Butekayo ? Except I cant spell it , knitter knows if she sees your post. P

[JHutton1994]

Buteyko method.

[AsthmaandLung Administrator]

Hello Osha,

We have lots of information on managing breathlessness on our webpage;- asthmaandlung.org.uk/sympto...

You may also benefit from a chat with one of our nurses who can advise you about managing your condition.

You can call us on 0300 222 5800 (Mon - Fri, 9:15 to 5pm) and we will be happy to help.

Thank you and take care,

Helpline Team

[knitter]

Buteyko ….i did a course many years ago . Expensive and beware tutors can vary .

Patrick McKeown has a book which I bought and has videos on you tube .

Another you tube Neil Tranter ….small breath holds .

But be careful , do it wrong and could make things worse .

Basis …gentle , gentle nose breathing , relaxed shoulders and belly .

[Phoenix1992]

Hi Osha,

I was seeing a respiratory physio from 2020, in my then consultant's clinic. She is also Buteyko trained.

She taught me how to breathe correctly and why. She also gave me this link to use if I needed it. It's a video made by physiotherapists in the UK. (It's very english and feels like it's from the 1950's 🤣)

I had to start lying down at first, pillow under head and knees. And try and do it for as long as I could even if it was less than a minute. And to do this twice a day and practice breathing in and out through my nose. She had such a relaxed attitude to it, I felt relaxed giving it a go, without being attached to the outcome. You can build up to 10 minutes twice a day.

She said it is a more gentle approach than Buteyko, no mouth taping at night for example. I will add a link to the YouTube channel. If you start at the oldest video, it starts with lying down, sitting, standing and walking.

Definitely phone ALUK too though as we are all different.

youtube.com/@physiotherapyf...

[Osha in reply to Phoenix1992]

Thank you Phoenix I will definitely have a look at this

[Timberman]

I don't know of a method starting with b or anything else. I do know that when you are short of breath there is a risk that you will start 'gasping' for air by breathing hard and fast through the mouth. You should try hard to avoid this 'panting' as it has some potentially serious downsides.

And I know, I have been there.

Thing is that some of us are what are called CO2 retainers. I cannot find a lot about how his works but the best I can offer is this. The little alveoli in our lungs which transfer O2 - oxygen - into the blood stream do this by allowing the molecules through small apertures of the right size and shape. There are also some differently shaped to allow CO2 (produced when we use O2) out of the blood and into the lungs for us to exhale.

Some forms of emphysema cause the alveoli not only to lose the shape and form that allow O2 in but also to let CO2 out. If CO2 builds up two things happen - it gets harder to transfer enough O2 into the blood and the acidity level in your blood system starts to rise. This is dangerous, even potentially lethal. Mine was spotted during hospital treatment for cellulitis.

So best advice? If you are short of breath calm down. If you need medication to help do this then make sure you have some. It does not work instantly so relax (you can be taught ways to do this). Now take control of your breathing.

Yes, at first short GENTLE breaths in through the nose may be best followed by short, firm exhalation through the mouth.. To regulate this you can do the following : choose an image on the wall - the shape of your TV which will be fine in fact, or a l;andscapoe shaped picture of window.

Now:

Beath in (nose) on the short down side of the rectangle;

Out (mouth) on the long bottom one.;

In (nose) on the short up;

Out ()mouth) on the long top one.

And repeat.

Slowly, clamly andfyou will be amazed at how soon yoiu will begin to feel immensely better. Keep at it.

This is called "controilled breathing" so may be what you had in mind.

Best of luck.

[Osha in reply to Timberman]

Thank you timber man. I do use pursed breathing but had forgotten about the eye on tv shape I am guilty of open mouth breathing which is bad Thanks for reminding me! I have started practicing the slow down breathing method. onwards and upwards

[suzy-lou]

When I went on the Pulmonary Rehab course, we were shown how to do "pursed lip breathing". Maybe this is what you are thinking of? It certainly helps me with walking and chores which need a lot of puff! Your physio/respiratory nurse could advise you.

[leo60]

Yes, at PR I was told to just take short breaths in and long breaths out when feeling breathless. Otherwise your lungs are full of "old" air and there is no room for "new" , oxygen richer air. xx

[Osha in reply to leo60]

Ha that’s a good way of saying it!

[leo60 in reply to Osha]

I had to think of how to put it for a while! 😂 But loosely that's it! Hope its helpful xx