Breathing Techniques for Emphysema

Emphysema is a health condition that affects a person’s ability to breathe well. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and a large amount of mucus that collects in the lungs. Once you have been diagnosed with emphysema, the first and most essential step you need to take is to quit smoking. Symptoms can worsen over time, so oxygen concentrator suppliers like Oxygen Always recommends practicing breathing exercises to manage your symptoms. When you practice breathing techniques regularly they can help you exert less energy when completing daily tasks. These breathing exercises can help you feel more energetic and possibly help you regain physical activity while supplemented with the use of an oxygen concentrator.

Pursed lip breathing:

Keep your mouth closed and breathe in through the lungs, counting to two.
The breaths don’t have to be deep
Purse your lips into a pucker
Slowly breathe out by counting to four

Coordinated breathing:

Inhale through your nose before beginning an exercise.
While pursing your lips, breathe out during the most strenuous part of the exercise.
This also works when you are feeling anxious

Deep breathing:

Sit or stand with elbows back so that your chest can fully expand.
Inhale deeply
Hold your breath as you count to five
Release the air through a slow, deep exhale.

Huff cough:

In a comfortable seated position, inhale slightly deeper than normal.
Use your stomach muscles to blow the air out in three even breaths, making “ha, ha, ha” sounds

Diaphragmatic breathing:

While lying or sitting relax your shoulders.
Put a hand on your chest and place the other hand on your stomach.
Take a breath in through the nose for two seconds, feeling the stomach expand.
Purse your lips and breathe out slowly, pressing lightly on your stomach.

The aforementioned exercises can help you gain better control over your emphysema and allow you to be able to carry out your daily activities. In some cases, the use of an oxygen concentrator or portable oxygen concentrator can help greatly as well. Breathing techniques coupled with oxygen therapy through the use of an oxygen concentrator can help make your emphysema more bearable.