Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique For COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a health condition that affects a person’s ability to breathe properly. It’s sometimes associated with other conditions such as Emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Symptoms include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and large amounts of mucus that collect in the lungs. Symptoms can worsen with time, but certain breathing exercises can help you to manage them.
There are five exercises that can be especially useful for people with COPD:
- Pursed lips breathing
- Coordinated breathing
- Deep breathing
- Huff cough
- Diaphragmatic breathing
For this posting, I’d like to define one particular exercise known as “Diaphragmatic Breathing.”
Diaphragmatic breathing, or deep breathing is breathing that is done by contracting the diaphragm, a muscle located horizontally between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Air enters the lugs ad the belly expands while the chest rises during this type of exercise.
Diaphragmatic breathing is intended to help you use the diaphragm correctly while breathing to
- Strengthen the diaphragm
- Decrease the work of breathing by slowing your breathing rate
- Decrease oxygen demand
- Use less effort and energy to breathe
The Cleveland Clinic published this great step by step tutorial on how to practice this technique.