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How Breathing Exercises Benefit Your Lungs

How Breathing Exercises Benefit Your Lungs

Breathing is an essential part of our daily lives. By the time we hit our mid-20s, our lung capacity and lung function decrease, and the risks for certain chronic lung diseases, like COPD and asthma, are increased. Those recovering from COVID-19 often suffer significant lung damage, and regaining lung function can be quite challenging. There are, however, breathing exercises for pulmonary rehabilitation that can help increase lung capacity and improve lung function.

Certain breathing exercises help the lungs work more efficiently. If you have limited lung capacity, breath work can help restore diaphragm function. Deep breathing exercises can also relieve anxiety, stress management and improve sleep quality. These exercises have many benefits to not only lung health but also overall health and wellness.

Breathing Techniques to Improve Lung Health

There are several deep breathing techniques to help improve your lung health. These lung exercises can be done at home and help you breathing volume, the maximum amount of oxygen your body is able to use. Read how to perform these exercises safely.

If you have decreased lung function or are recovering from COVID-19, here is a list of precautions you should take when performing these exercises:

Do not begin these exercises if:

• You have a fever (a temperature of 98.6°F or higher)
• You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing while at rest
• You have chest pain
• You have new swelling in your lungs

Stop exercise immediately if you experience:

• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat

Diaphragmatic Breathing or Belly Breathing

Your diaphragm is supposed to perform the majority of the work when we breathe. Diaphragmatic breathing, otherwise known as belly breathing, exercises engage the diaphragm muscles and help strengthen it to prevent strain on any other part of your body.

Follow these steps for the belly breathing technique:

• Relax your body, then sit or lie down, whichever you are most comfortable with.
• Place one of your hands on your stomach and one on your chest.
• Slowly inhale through your nose for 2 seconds. Notice your breath moving from your chest and filling your belly.
• Breathe out for 2 seconds through pursed lips while pressing on your abdominal area.

Repeat these steps for 1 minute.

Diaphragmatic breathing is particularly helpful for people with COPD or who are recovering from COVID-19. These exercises can be especially helpful at rebuilding your lung function. Consult with an experienced physician about developing a personalized exercise plan.

Pursed-lip Breathing

Pursed lip breathing is often used to relax your mind, body, and soul. This exercise works by relaxing the muscles and keeping your airway open for a longer period of time, allowing you to be more physically active. This takes the strain off of your lungs and helps improve the oxygen and carbon dioxide transfer. This technique can be practiced at any time.

How to practice pursed-lip breathing:

• Inhale through your nose slowly for a count of 4.
• Purse your lips together.
• Gently breathe out slowly through your pursed lips. Your exhale should take twice as long as your inhale (about 8 seconds).

Repeat this for 1 minute.

More Tips for Healthy Lungs

Looking for more ways to work on your respiratory health? Check out the easy tips from lung experts below.

• Quit smoking and avoid places where you could be exposed to secondhand smoke or other irritants.
• Be sure to keep your air filters clean and reduce air pollutants (e.g., dust, mold, and dander) to improve your indoor air quality.
• Develop a healthy and balanced diet and incorporate foods rich in antioxidants.
• Exercise often. Begin physical activity at your comfort level and grow your workout routine as you build up your strength. Aerobic exercise
• Stay up to date on your vaccinations. You should get vaccinated for the flu and pneumonia every year to promote excellent lung health and avoid lung infections.

Have More Questions Regarding Your Lung Health?

At Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep, we care about your lung health and are here to provide you with what you need for optimal respiratory care. Our certified and experienced physicians can answer any questions you may have regarding your lung health or any respiratory condition.

We provide several services, including Pulmonary Function Testing, and work with patients to devise a personalized care plan. Interested in healthy lungs? Call us and schedule an appointment.

Overview of Asthma and Covid-19

Being able to breathe without issue is something we often take for granted. When you have asthma, however, breathing is one of the only things you think about. Asthma affects approximately 12 million Americans, and that number continues to grow each day. Those suffering from asthma experience chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be problematic in the face of COVID-19. In this article, you’ll learn all about asthma. We’ll cover symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and how to avoid COVID-19 as an asthmatic.

In this article, you’ll learn all about asthma. We’ll cover symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and how to avoid COVID-19 as an asthmatic.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects a person’s breathing patterns and often causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and asthma attacks. Asthma is a lifelong condition that can be grouped into four categories: intermittent, persistent-mild, persistent-moderate, and persistent-severe. Although asthma is chronic, the symptoms are manageable with proper treatment and precautions.

Asthmatics can have symptoms triggered by a variety of things, including chemicals, cigarette smoke, and various allergens (e.g. dust and pet dander). Symptoms may also appear if the sufferer contracts a viral respiratory infection, like COVID-19. When symptoms are triggered, the person is at risk for an asthma attack. These attacks are capable of lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few days; they are even known to be deadly. It is vital to keep your doctor up to date about your asthma and notify him or her if your symptoms worsen or if you experience an asthma attack.

Why Asthmatics Should Be Wary of COVID-19

If a patient suffering from asthma contracts a viral respiratory infection, his or her symptoms can worsen, making daily life incredibly taxing. COVID-19 is one of the most contagious and deadly viral respiratory infections today. Doctors worry asthmatics are at a higher risk of contracting this disease and experiencing more severe symptoms, including hospitalization. While this projection is not conclusive, it’s something asthma sufferers should keep in mind.

To avoid contracting the virus, asthmatics should follow the guidelines set out by the CDC, and follow the asthma action plan set up by their doctor to manage symptoms and lower the chance of contracting COVID-19.

Many experts also recommend the following:

• Continue the controller medications prescribed by your healthcare provider. Stopping these can increase your risk of asthma exacerbation.
• Maintain a social distance anytime you leave your home.
• Wear a protective face cover in public.
• Practice regular hand-washing.
• Avoid those who exhibit signs of COVID-19 or any other illness.
• Certain chemicals and disinfectants may trigger asthma symptoms, so when cleaning, it’s important to open windows, run fans, and wear gloves and a mask when using these products.

 

Treating Asthma

Asthma is not a curable condition, but symptoms can be managed, and sufferers can lead normal, active lives. Generally, asthma is “treated” through a combination of bronchodilators, other preventative medications (e.g. allergy pills and nasal sprays), and lifestyle changes, like diet and controlled exercise.

There are two types of bronchodilators: fast-acting and long-term. Both work through inhalation, relaxing the muscles, and opening the airways to allow more airflow. Preventative medicines are generally antihistamines like Singulair (aka Montelukast), Theophylline (prevents nighttime wheezing), or nasal sprays. The goal of these medications is to control symptoms and attacks and allow asthmatics to lead a normal life. Another way to help manage your asthma is through diet and exercise. Reducing your weight allows your body to work more efficiently and makes breathing easier. Your doctor can help you generate a health program that best fits your lifestyle.

Have More Questions Regarding Your Health?

At Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep, we are here for you! Our experienced physicians can answer any questions you may have regarding asthma and provide a number of services, including Feno Asthma Testing. We will work with you to develop an asthma action plan to help monitor and manage your symptoms. Interested in learning more? Visit our site for information regarding our practice, and contact us to schedule an appointment.