Studies show that people living with asthma tend to breath faster than people with unaffected lungs.

https://www.safeymedicaldevices.com/

Furthermore, it is believed that asthmatics face another breathing difficulty – breathing through their mouths.

This results in a direct hit of cool and dry air straight into the lung.

This is a direct asthma trigger.

When this type of air gets into your lungs, it can result in the need for a reliever inhaler as a matter of urgency, alongside other necessary asthma medication.

When your asthma is causing you significant breathing difficulties and shortness of breath and chest tightness seem to be ever more prevalent, it can be particularly worrying. For you as the patient, but also for your loved ones watching and feeling helpless.

But there are things you can do to help take back control.

Read on to discover some simple breathing exercises that could control your breathing issues and help to ward off future asthma attacks.

Breathing exercises you can do

When it comes to the management of your asthma, a 2014 article published in The European Respiratory Society (ERS) journal stated that:

“Breathing exercises can improve patient-reported outcomes and psychological state and

“Breathing exercises should be offered to all asthma patients with symptoms or impaired quality of life despite standard treatment”

This recent study highlights the positive impact that breathing exercises might have in relation to your asthma management, and in turn, improve your overall quality of life.

The article also highlighted that:

“Over-breathing (hyperventilation) and abnormal breathing patterns (dysfunctional breathing) are commonly associated with anxiety and breathing-control exercises have long been used as a treatment for anxiety and panic.

Hyperventilation and other abnormalities in breathing have also been associated with asthma, implicated as triggers for bronchoconstriction and the production of asthma-like symptoms in patients of all levels of objective asthma severity.”

Enquire or Share Your Questions If Any Before the Purchasing This Device -  https://www.safeymedicaldevices.com/enquire-now/

So, what are some helpful breathing exercises?

1. Diaphragmatic breathing

As a basic breathing technique that helps to maximise air distribution in your lungs, diaphragmatic (or abdominal) breathing is the most efficient and relaxed way of obtaining a substantial amount of air.

Diaphragmatic breathing can help with the breathing difficulties associated with asthma as it has two important effects on the body:

➡️ It is a relaxing method, as opposed to the type of breathing in the upper chest – known as ’emergency mode’ – typically associated with an asthma attack.

➡️ It is a sign that your body is in a peaceful state and helps it to regenerate.

Breathing too quickly and irregularly (which is often the case in asthmatics) narrows the airways in your lungs to the point where it can be scary, as it’s hard to catch your breath.

It can also cause further symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness and anxiety.

METHOD

When you practice this type of breathing, you can choose to lie down or sit straight up.

Concentrate on your breathing. Preferably you should breathe in slowly through your nose.

Place one hand flat on your upper chest and the other hand on your stomach.

When you inhale, focus on your abdomen, as it is this part of your body that needs to be moving out and not your chest.

Exhale very slowly and ensure that your abdomen is moving in an inwards motion.

Try to make your exhalation breath twice the length as your inhalation breath.

2. Buteyko breathing

Konstantin Buteyko created this type of breathing during the 1950’s as a way to breathe more slowly and deeply.

As rapid breathing is a common feature in people diagnosed with asthma, the Buteyko method can help to decrease symptoms like shortness of breath.

Buteyko uses a measurement called the Control Pause (CP). This is the amount of time between breaths that an individual can comfortably hold breath.

People with asthma who regularly practice Buteyko breathing should notice an increase in this Control Pause, and a decrease in pulse rate. According to studies, this can lead to decreased asthma symptoms.

Buteyko breathing isn’t just one type of exercise, it uses a series of reduced-breathing exercises to teach you how to focus on your breath and to slow it right down.

METHOD

Sit upright and relax your entire body.

Focus on your breath and close your eyes whilst also looking up.

Breathe through your nose gently, ensuring to keep your mouth closed.

When you draw in a breath, do so slowly. Make sure you also keep the pace on the exhale. Do so until you feel there is no air left in your lungs.

Hold your breath if you can and then return to gentle breathing.

3. Pursed lip breathing

This type of breathing exercise can be utilised if you are during an asthma attack. Since shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of asthma, this technique is an ideal method to help relieve it.

METHOD

First, relax. Close your mouth and then breathe in slowly through your nose.

Then, you just purse your lips as if you are about to whistle.

Finally, you breathe out slowly through these pursed lips, to a count of four.

You should exhale for twice if you inhale.

This should be done while using diaphragmatic breathing as described above to make breathing difficulties disappear.

For more information – https://safeymedicaldevices.wpcomstaging.com/6-techniques-to-help-with-your-asthma/

4. Yoga

Yoga is one of those all-around exercises that can help to improve a variety of health issues. From localised pain, stress, anxiety and as it turns out, asthma, it’s a wide term with various different forms.

Combining movement with deep, meditative breathing, yoga is an exercise that can really help to improve asthma breathing difficulties and overall lung function, as some smaller studies have found.

Yoga can also help to quickly reopen your airways, clear mucus and stop wheezing in its tracks.

Studies have also indicated that specific yoga breathing exercises – also known as pranayama – can reduce asthma symptoms whilst others can reduce inhaler usage.

The most popular type of yogic breathing is known as the Ujjayi breathing technique.

METHOD

Here, you take a long breath and focus on filling up your stomach. Then move on to filling up your chest.

While you inhale, the stomach is the first to go in followed by the chest. This facilitates maximum oxygen retention by the body.

This is an excellent way to reduce respiratory issues, and lung-related problems.

5. Nasal breathing

You should have at least one routine asthma review every year and a structured review can improve clinical outcomes for people with asthma.

Just a third of people with asthma have an annual asthma review with inhaler check and an asthma action plan.

There should be a section within your asthma plan which states the necessary information surrounding this. This section should contain a checklist of what you will bring to the review:

➡️ Your action plan to see if it needs updating.

➡️ Any inhalers and spacers you have, to check that you are using them correctly and in the best way.

➡️Any questions about your asthma and how to cope with it.

➡️ Next asthma review date

6. Papworth method

Developed in Papworth Hospital, this method has been used for over 50 years. Similar to the Buteyko breathing technique and the diaphragmatic breathing exercise, “…It focuses on problems of dysfunctional breathing including hyperventilation and hyperinflation that are often found in asthma sufferers.”

The Papworth Method has helped to cut asthma symptoms by a third is not designed to assist asthma sufferers with severe episodes or those who suffer from allergy induced attacks.

These exercises are helpful to those diagnosed as having mild asthma and the associated symptoms of rapid breathing and mouth breathing.

For more information – https://safeymedicaldevices.wpcomstaging.com/6-techniques-to-help-with-your-asthma/