Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease - Lifestyle Changes

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Breathing Exercises

Pursed-Lip Breathing. A technique called pursed-lip breathing can help improve a patient's lung function before starting activities or doing a strenuous task, such as heavy lifting. Pursed-lip breathing helps change pressure in the airways and prevents the small airways from collapsing. To use this technique:

• First, inhale through the nose, moving the abdominal muscles outward so that the diaphragm lowers and the lungs fill with air.
• Exhale through the mouth with the lips pursed, making a hissing sound.
• Take twice as long breathing out as you did breathing in, so that there is pressure in the windpipe and chest, and trapped air is forced out.

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Holding Breath and Coughing. A simple technique is to inhale deeply and slowly, hold the breath for 5 - 10 seconds, then cough while breathing out.

Controlling Secretions

Fluids and Humidity. Patients with congestion and heavy phlegm should drink plenty of fluids and keep their homes humidified.

Chest Therapy. Chest therapy involves breathing in rhythmically for three to four deep breaths, then coughing to produce phlegm. Tapping the chest may also help loosen and bring up phlegm in patients who produce a lot of it. Avoid chest therapy during an acute exacerbation of COPD.

When coughing to produce mucus, another method is to lean forward and "huff" repeatedly. Take relaxed breaths, and then huff again. Avoid forceful coughing, if possible.

Physical Exercise

Because COPD is not simply a lung condition, but a disease that causes wasting of the muscles and bones, certain physical exercises may be very helpful.

Strengthening Exercises for the Limbs. Exercising and strengthening the muscles in the arms and legs helps some patients improve their endurance and reduce breathlessness. These exercises may also help with everyday activities, like climbing stairs and standing up from a chair. Exercising only one leg at a time (for example, pedaling a stationary bicycle with one leg instead of two) might benefit patients who are usually too out-of-breath to exercise, and help them increase their exercise capacity.