Deep breathing technique with pursed lips: Advantages and practice methods
Pursed lip breathing, a simple yet effective breathing technique, is gaining recognition for its benefits in managing various respiratory conditions. Originally designed for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this technique is now being recommended for individuals with asthma, other lung diseases, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and even those dealing with stress and anxiety.
COPD, a common respiratory disease, is characterised by two key conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Some doctors also include nonreversible or refractory asthma under this term. People with COPD often experience breathlessness, frequent coughing, mucus production, wheezing, and a tight feeling in the chest.
Pursed lip breathing, as the name suggests, involves breathing in through the nose and out slowly through pursed lips, as if blowing out candles. The technique is low-risk but is advisable for those with respiratory conditions, such as COPD, to seek advice from a healthcare professional before trying it.
For individuals with COPD, the diaphragm does not work as well, leaving stale air trapped in the lungs. This trapped air leaves less room for fresh air containing oxygen, making a person feel short of breath. Pursed lip breathing can help get rid of this stale air, allowing the lungs and diaphragm to work better and take in more oxygen.
In addition to its benefits for COPD, pursed lip breathing may help a person slow their breathing pace and take in more oxygen, which could potentially be beneficial for those experiencing anxiety. For people with PAH, the technique provides positive end-expiratory pressure, helping to keep airways open longer and manage breathlessness, a common symptom in PAH patients.
During physical exertion, such as running, exercising, or climbing stairs, pursed lip breathing can help maintain steady breathing, improve oxygen exchange, and increase exercise tolerance. This makes it an excellent technique for those looking to boost their physical activity levels, but doing so gradually to avoid straining the body or causing an injury.
Beyond individuals with COPD, pursed lip breathing may benefit several other groups of people. This includes those with asthma and various other lung diseases, as the technique helps keep airways open longer during exhalation and improve airflow. For those dealing with stress and anxiety, the technique helps calm the nervous system by slowing respiratory rate and focusing attention on breathing, which reduces feelings of anxiety.
In summary, pursed lip breathing is not only beneficial for COPD but also useful for asthma and other lung conditions, PAH-related breathlessness, physical activity support, and stress or anxiety management. Regular practice of pursed lip breathing can help get rid of stale air in the lungs, slow the breath, make it easier to breathe, reduce the work that other muscles in the body are doing to breathe, increase a person's ability to carry out their usual activities or exercise, and improve their overall quality of life. As always, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before starting any new breathing technique, especially for those with existing respiratory conditions.
- Pursed lip breathing may also help individuals living with primary chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by enabling them to expel stale air from their lungs more effectively, thus allowing their lungs and diaphragm to function better and increase oxygen intake.
- The use of pursed lip breathing could potentially extend to people dealing with different chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as it involves slow, controlled breaths that can help manage stress levels, a common factor in these conditions.
- It's worth noting that pursed lip breathing could benefit various medical-conditions that affect several body systems, including heart health (cardiovascular-health). For instance, it may help reduce cardiovascular strain during physical exertion by improving oxygen exchange and increasing exercise tolerance.
- For those managing chronic kidney disease, pursed lip breathing might offer relaxation and stress relief, as it has been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, aiding in maintaining overall health-and-wellness.
- Pursed lip breathing can be advantageous for individuals dealing with chronic skin conditions, like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis, as it can help reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being (mental-health), which in turn may contribute to better eye-health and hearing.
- For patients undergoing cancer treatment, the technique may provide some relief from shortness of breath and anxiety produced by the various respiratory complications related to cancer treatment.
- Even daily activities such as involving rapid, shallow breaths can exacerbate symptoms in those with chronic conditions; pursed lip breathing may help improve the airflow in the lungs and reduce shortness of breath, making everyday tasks seemingly less exhausting.
- Health care professionals may consider recommending pursed lip breathing as a supplemental technique for managing certain secondary conditions related to respiratory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which can be aggravated by breathing difficulties.
- Whether it is for managing specific medical-conditions like COPD or other lung diseases, or for promoting overall health-and-wellness, learning and regular practice of pursed lip breathing could result in obvious and long-term benefits.
- Regardless of the conditions, maintaining a healthy respiratory system is essential to living a fulfilling life; by promoting optimal breathing patterns through techniques like pursed lip breathing, individuals may be able to enjoy a better quality of life and function more effectively in tackling their daily routines and pursuits.
