This aim of this page is to give some basic advice on coping with breathing problems. For more detailed advice on your specific condition, you should talk to your GP or chest consultant.
Many people have probably developed many of their own strategies for managing their personal situations. The first key to success lies in remaining well, active and without a chest infection. Whilst everyone is very individual, exercise and how you spend your day are very important. Exercise is vital for keeping your body and lungs fit. This enables you to continue a range of tasks and interests each day.
A few suggestions
- Plan ahead so that you can balance your energy with time and any other resources that you have available.
- Set priorities and make choices about what you want to use your energy for.
- Sit for activities that cost energy, for example washing or preparing meals.
- Rest before and after energetic activities, for example shopping or bathing.
- Take exercise like short walks regularly, incorporating stairs or increasing gradients if possible. Using stairs provides better exercise. Keeping a string bag at the bottom of the stairs to collect items that must go upstairs will avoid you going back and forth.
How you take exercise is important. Start slowly, going further each day. Consult your doctor or physiotherapist about realistic goals for you. Walk with your arms hanging loosely, your shoulders and chest relaxed. Breathe slowly and find an easy, even speed.
Use your inhaler and/or nebuliser before going out. If you have portable oxygen, make sure that you have sufficient for your trip out before you leave the house. On return home, replace the amount used so that you are ready for future outings. Using treatments that improve your breathing make exercise more efficient and comfortable.
Breathing control and learning to relax help breathing to be more effective. Adopt a posture that is comfortable for you. Find a quiet spot and try listening to music that you like. Another idea is visualising every detail of a favourite walk or journey you recall.
Employ techniques such as pursed lip breathing, where you breathe in slowly though your nose and breathe out slowly through pursed lips. This method assists you to control rate and depth of breathing.
You could also try counted breathing: try counting 1 and 2 for breathing in and 3 and 4 for breathing out. If increasing the count to 3, 4 and 5 to breathe out longer helps, try it. This can be used on the stairs and can make breathing feel easier and/or take more exercise comfortably.
Regular nutrition and small meals are valuable to provide energy, strengthen breathing muscles and protect you against chest infection. Drinking extra fluids thins phlegm. Avoid stomach distension caused by large meals or gas forming food such as onions, raw apples and cucumber. Distension compromises lung space. This is another reason to eat well and exercise to avoid constipation. If you think you are overweight talk to your doctor or nurse. Extra weight is like carrying a heavy suitcase and makes exercise hard work.
A good night's sleep is vital, so think about how you prepare for bedtime. Try and plan so the period preceding bedtime is relaxing. Develop your own best routines - a warm drink or good book. Have items you need on a bedside table, for example tissues, light or inhaler. Light-weight bed covers are easier to manage. Extra small baby pillows are easier to adjust for comfort for neck or shoulder support.
Act quickly if you think you have a chest infection so if treatment is necessary it can be started early.
Keeping well and employing ideas that help you will hopefully make your life and breathing easier. What matters is that you can continue doing what you value and enjoy.
