Breathing exercises

[technodiva]

I have read that there are certain breathing exercises that one should be doing if you have been diagnosed with early stages of emphysema to help you with the shortness of breath.  (I quit smoking 38 years ago after smoking for 10 years and I have been recently told there are emphysema spots on my lungs.)  Could you please tell me what these breathing exercises are or where I might be able to find them on the net?  Thank you for a wonderful website with so much helpful information.

[National Jewish]

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program to maintain or bring back your quality of life through aerobic exercise done on a regular basis.  When done routinely, this conditions the entire body so that the muscles are working as efficiently as possible.  This allows the breathing muscles to use the least amount of energy to move air in and out of the lungs.  Over time this helps to lessen shortness of breath.  Some programs will also include education about your lung condition and nutrition.

Please read our Pulmonary Rehabilitation MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/pulmonary.html for more information.  Share this information with your doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.

Diaphragmatic breathing is a technique that may help you move more air in and out of your lungs.  This helps decrease shortness of breath.  Here are the instructions:
Breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose.
While you breathe in, count 1, 2 and push your stomach out.
Place your hand on your stomach so you can feel your stomach going out.  This promotes the use of your diaphragm and the lower respiratory muscles.
Breathe out slowly and deeply through your mouth.
While you slowly breathe out all the way, count 1, 2, 3, 4 and let your stomach relax.  You can feel your stomach going in with your hand.

It’s great that you quit smoking so long ago!

[starion]

Here's a website that has some information about diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing, which helps those of us with lung conditions breathe better, with fewer symptoms.

http://www.healthylungs.org/programs_services/adult/handbook2.html

Aloha,
Starion

[ccctalks]

Are these emphysema spots something new that has just recently appeared?  Because these could have started years ago when you smoked, but by quitting you halted it going further.  Your lungs may simply be showing when emphysema first started back when you smoked.  They won't go away when you quit but doesn't mean they will continue to get worse, either.  Is it possible that your lungs have always looked like this and it's just now being seen because you had an x-ray?

[technodiva]

Thanks to abby1 and starion for your responses.  This is the first time I have been told I have these spots.  I had a chest xray about 4 yrs ago, and I was told nothing.  The cough and shortness of breath I've had for probably 10 yrs.  It's this recent xray that has spooked me plenty.  Your words have been some consolation and are greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much.  I will check the website offered for the breathing exercises.  Again...thank you so much.

[starion]

I would strongly recommend you get an evaluation of your lung condition by a doctor, starting with a lung function test called a spirometry.  This would provide information about how well your lungs are able to move air in & out of your lungs.  It's quick, painless, and inexpensive.  Your doctor can guide you from there.
Aloha,
Starion

[technodiva]

Aloha Starion.  I had that test and the results were not serious.  When I was given Ventilon (?), there was very little improvement.  After a recent consultation with my doctor, he assures me that there are merely shadows on my xray which is the normal progression of aging.  Since I have no symptons other than some shortness of breath and a cough 3 or 4 times a day, he told me these were very minor symptons and nothing to warrant medication or further testing at this time...Thanks for your response...I do feel a lot better.

[ravid]

My wife is suffering from 'right penerval deffusion'.
The intoxicant water logged in the right side and the water was removed. Now she is suffering from chest pain and breathing problem.

Can u please suggest what measures can be taken.


Thank U

[technodiva]

Sorry...I can't help you .. I know nothing of your wife's situation.

[technodiva]

I've been working on the breathing exercises you gave me ... (breathing in and letting your stomach push out...breath out and relax stomach)...
When I went for my pulmonary test, I was told to breath in and pull stomach in...and in breathing out...to exhale with as much pressure on my stomach as possible...Was this just for the test?
Cuz it seems the opposite to what you wrote.  Please confirm...Thank you...Happy 4th from one of us celebrating the 1st.
technodiva

[technodiva]

I've been working on the breathing exercises you gave me ... (breathing in and letting your stomach push out...breath out and relax stomach)...
When I went for my pulmonary test, I was told to breath in and pull stomach in...and in breathing out...to exhale with as much pressure on my stomach as possible...Was this just for the test?
Cuz it seems the opposite to what you wrote. Please confirm...Thank you...
technodiva