Breathing Exercises for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a long-term lung disease that causes difficulty breathing. The disease affects millions of Americans and is the third leading cause of disease-related death in the United States.

Difficulty breathing is one of the most disturbing symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Even if it happens only occasionally, the feeling of having trouble breathing can be uncomfortable and scary. But simple breathing exercises for COPD can strengthen the muscles you use to breathe, reduce breathing difficulties and improve quality of life.

4 Breathing Exercises for COPD:


Deep Breathing
Deep breathing can help your body take in more fresh air and prevent air from getting trapped in your lungs.

Sit or stand in a comfortable position, with your elbows positioned slightly back. This position allows your chest to expand more fully.
Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can.
Let the air out and then cough strongly.
Repeat these steps up to 10 times every hour.
Pursed Lip Breathing
This technique helps you slow your breathing and stay calm. It can be especially helpful before you start an activity or any time you feel short of breath.

Breathe in and slowly through your nose for one count.
Purse your lips like you are going to whistle.
Breathe out slowly through pursed lips for two counts. Let air come out on its own. Do not force it out.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragm Breathing helps strengthen the diaphragm, one of the most important muscles used for breathing. With COPD, air often gets trapped in and pushes the lungs. As a result, people with COPD tend to use neck, shoulder, and back muscles more than the diaphragm when breathing.

Put one hand on your upper chest and one on your stomach.
Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel the hand on your stomach moving out. The hand on your chest should not move.
Breathe out slowly through your pursed lips. You should feel the hand on your stomach move in as you breathe out.
Controlled Coughing
A persistent cough can cause the airway to collapse, making breathing extremely difficult. A controlled cough occurs deep in the lungs, loosens up mucus and then carries it through the airways without causing collapse. It also saves oxygen.

Sit on a chair with both feet on the floor. Lean slightly forward.
Fold your arms across your belly. Breathe in slowly through your nose.
Lean forward and exhale, pressing your arms into your belly.
Slightly open your mouth and cough two to three times. Make your coughs short and sharp.
Gently and slowly inhale through your nose.
Rest


You can get more COPD specific breathing exercises in the OPUMP Breathing Trainer. Try these COPD treatment breathing exercises several times a day to help gain more control.