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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Emergency help to breathe
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Emergency help to breathe
by olbat, Jun 17, 2003 12:00AM
My husband has become ill with infections. He can barely use an inhaler sometimes. He has a nebulizer and meds to use every 6 hours. What can I do when he can't get his breath and has several hours till his next nebulizer treatment. Is there something else I can put in his nebulizer to calm him and help him breathe easier. It scares us both when he can't use the Albuterol inhaler, and can't breathe. Especially when he gets a coughing fit. The breaths are short not enough oxygen getting in, sweats from the exertion and panicking because of it.Water? Special medication kept on hand for this? Liquid Vicks menthol or something else to put in the nebulizer till the next day when you can call or see a doctor? Thanks for you help.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jun 24, 2003 12:00AM
, Jun 24, 2003 12:00AM
It is understandable that you are both scared when your husband can’t breathe. The panic feeling that follows can make the breathing more difficult causing the cycle to continue. Diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation techniques help to break this cycle. When your husband can’t get his breath and has several hours till his next nebulizer treatment you can coach him so he is calm and can breathe easier.
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 your 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.
Talk with your husband’s doctor about working with a counselor to learn the relaxation techniques that will be most helpful for your husband. Often this is part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. A pulmonary rehabilitation program maintains or brings back your husband’s 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 his 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 husband’s doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.
Also check with your husband’s doctor to see if he is getting enough oxygen in his blood. If his oxygen level in his blood is low he may be helped by supplemental oxygen.
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 your 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.
Talk with your husband’s doctor about working with a counselor to learn the relaxation techniques that will be most helpful for your husband. Often this is part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program. A pulmonary rehabilitation program maintains or brings back your husband’s 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 his 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 husband’s doctor to see if this would be helpful and where in your area there are programs.
Also check with your husband’s doctor to see if he is getting enough oxygen in his blood. If his oxygen level in his blood is low he may be helped by supplemental oxygen.
During the day, Mon-Fri, you can call a LUNG LINE nurse, at 1-800-222-LUNG(5864). Call between 8 am & 4:30 pm, Colorado time.
Don't take a chance. Get emergency medical care IMMEDIATELY, when your husband can't breathe well!
Good luck to you.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
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