If you were diagnosed with a lung condition a while ago, how is your breathing now?
Do you know if it's getting worse or do you have it all under control?
Do you feel like you're missing a piece of the puzzle when it comes to breathing well?
When you have a lung condition like asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or fibrosis, your lungs don’t work as efficiently as they should. Over time, this inefficiency can lead to adoption of poor breathing habits without even realising you're doing so.
For example, your breathing may have become more shallow, using your chest muscles rather than your diaphragm. Over time, this can lead to a less efficient breathing pattern which can further exacerbate your symptoms.
Why breathing right is so important when you have a lung condition
Efficient breathing means using your respiratory muscles effectively to minimise breathing muscle fatigue, and maximise the oxygen you take in and the carbon dioxide you breathe out. For people with lung conditions, this is especially important because their lung capacity is often reduced.
If you have a poor breathing pattern you are more likely to experience:
increased breathlessness: top heavy breathing, coupled with breathing through the mouth and more quickly can make you feel more out of breath,
fatigue: using the smaller, more fatiguable muscles to breathe, can lead to increased fatigue within the muscles, which also links to feeling short of breath,
anxiety: struggling to breathe can cause anxiety, and then the anxiety can cause you to feel more breathless! This vicious cycle can also exacerbate any breathing issues.
If you have an underlying condition and you notice any of the above symptoms then now is the time to have a breathing reset.
Now is the time to book a breathing MOT!
In the meantime, here are some simple steps you can take to begin breathing better:
Recognise that you aren't breathing correctly and change to a more controlled method of breathing
Be aware of normal breathing rates both at rest and during activity
Nose breathe rather than breathing through your mouth
Consider lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep hygiene and relaxation
Book in for a breathing MOT with one of our respiratory specialists, where we can help you with breathing pattern re-training as well as long-term management of your lung condition
Working with a Respiratory physiotherapist
We understand how frustrating and controlling breathing symptoms can be.
Our respiratory physiotherapists are here to help you get your breathing back on track and manage your condition effectively.
We will begin your MOT with physical assessment that includes a full breathing pattern and mechanics examination - this is how we determine which parts of your breathing framework need help. We will discuss the results with you, and present you with a plan to help you achieve optimal breathing and long term lung health.
Our aim is to quickly get you on the right path of treatment, calling on our extensive network of medical professionals if required, so that you maximise your health and wellbeing.
If you have any queries about making a booking, please contact us on enquiries@airphysiotherapy.co.uk or 020 7971 1464.
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