About COPD
This information is designed to assist you with breathing awareness. If you have any difficulties following this guide, discuss your breathing with your GP or a respiratory physiotherapist.
Why do you need to breathe well?
When the structure of the lung change, the amount of work it takes to breathe increases.
Normally, the diaphragm is the main breathing muscle. However, in severe COPD, the upper chest muscles become the main breathing muscles. And sometimes these muscles can be overused, causing muscle fatigue, general fatigue and further shortness of breath.
Another common problem is hyperinflation - over-breathing - when there’s too much air volume with an increased breathing rate. Hyperinflation also increases muscle work and further shortness of breath.
The aim of effective breathing
- Is to save energy
- Allows relaxation of muscles
- Decreases shortness of breath
- Reduces stress
- Gives you breathing control
- Allows total relaxation of mind and body
How to breathe effectively
- While sitting, place your hands on your chest and abdomen
- Breathe in through your nose and feel you hands gently rise
- Breathe out gently through your nose or lips and feel the air leave your hands. As you do this try to relax your shoulders
- Practise feeling the breath become rhythmical, relaxed and effortless
Upon movement
Upon exertion breathing often changes and becomes more labored. Pursed lip breathing helps to regulate the amount of air you breathe in while helping to expel any trapped air - which saves energy.
Task 1: Try pursed lip breathing
- Breathe in slowly through your nose
- Purse your lips as if to whistle and breathe out through the purse lips taking twice as long to exhale
- Pause - then inhale through the nose again and exhale through purse lips. It is important to maintain a pace and rhythm when exercising. Counting can often assist with this task - especially on inclines and stairs.
Task 2: A good way to remind yourself to regulate your breathing and to pause is to place dots around works and home - on the fridge, phone, the bottom of the stairs, etc.
When you pass a dot, remember to pause, let go of your shoulders, then breathe through the nose - low and slow.
Additionally, use the dots to remind you to slow down the speed at which you walk, talk and eat.
The importance if posture
Good posture
The body is in line, allowing air in and out effectively and effortlessly.
Poor posture
When the body is rigid or slouched, the airflow becomes rigid.
What to do when you become short of breath
Use relaxed breathing in the following positions:
- Sitting
- Sitting supported (e.g. leaning forward on something)
- Standing leaning back