How to improve breathing difficulties in patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease, characterized by limited airflow and dyspnea, especially during exercise or respiratory infections. COPD not only affects patients' respiratory function, but also seriously affects their quality of life, bringing both physical and psychological challenges. Although COPD is an irreversible chronic disease, through some lifestyle adjustments and scientific methods, patients can effectively improve the symptoms of dyspnea and improve their quality of life. This article will introduce some daily methods suitable for COPD patients to help them relieve dyspnea and regain more vitality in life.

1. Breathing Exercise: Control the Rhythm of Breathing

For COPD patients, learning and mastering some breathing exercises is one of the important means to improve dyspnea. Breathing exercises can help patients use their lungs more effectively and reduce the discomfort caused by airflow limitation.

1. Pursed Lip Breathing

Pursed lip breathing is a simple breathing method that is very suitable for COPD patients. The main purpose of this method is to increase the pressure in the airway by prolonging the exhalation time, so as to help the air to be better discharged from the body. Specifically, the patient tries to inhale deeply through the nose when inhaling, then slightly tightens the lips like whistling, and exhales slowly through the mouth. The exhalation time should be 2 to 3 times longer than the inhalation time. This can effectively reduce the amount of gas trapped in the lungs and make the patient feel that breathing is smoother.

Pursed lip breathing can be used not only when you have difficulty breathing, but it is also very helpful to practice it in your daily life. Through repeated practice, patients can gradually master the rhythm of breathing and naturally apply this method when they feel difficulty breathing, thereby relieving discomfort.

2. Abdominal breathing

Abdominal breathing is also a breathing exercise method suitable for COPD patients. Through abdominal breathing, the diaphragm can be better utilized to increase the ventilation volume of the lungs. The patient can lie down or sit down, put one hand on the abdomen and the other hand on the chest, try to inhale with the power of the abdomen to make the abdomen bulge, while keeping the chest still, and then exhale through pursed lips to slowly expel the gas. This method can help patients exhale waste gas in the body more fully and improve the efficiency of oxygen inhalation.

2. Maintain moderate exercise: exercise enhances lung function

COPD patients are often reluctant to exercise because of dyspnea, but moderate exercise is very important for improving lung function and endurance. Through exercise, patients can increase their physical strength and lung capacity, thereby reducing dyspnea during daily activities.

1. Walking: The simplest exercise

Walking is a very suitable form of exercise for COPD patients. Walking for about 30 minutes every day can help improve cardiopulmonary function and enhance lower limb muscle strength. Patients can choose places with fresh air and flat environment to walk, such as parks or trails in the community. This way, they can not only enjoy the benefits of exercise, but also get in touch with nature and relax. For patients who are just starting to exercise, they can start with short walks of 10 to 15 minutes, gradually increase the time and pace, and do what they can to avoid excessive fatigue.

2. Light strength training

In addition to aerobic exercise, proper strength training is also an effective way for COPD patients to improve dyspnea. For example, simple upper limb exercises using dumbbells, or alternating sit-stand lower limb training, can help increase muscle strength, thereby improving endurance during exercise and reducing the burden of breathing. When doing strength training, patients should pay attention to slow and controlled movements to avoid injuries caused by excessive force.

3. Yoga and Tai Chi

Yoga and Tai Chi are forms of exercise that combine breath control and body movements, which are very suitable for COPD patients. These exercises can help patients learn how to better control their breathing while improving their body's flexibility and balance. In particular, Tai Chi's slow and smooth movements can help patients keep their breathing stable during exercise and reduce the discomfort caused by shortness of breath.

3. Improve living environment: reduce the causes of breathing difficulties

The quality of the living environment has a direct impact on the breathing conditions of COPD patients. Improving the living environment and reducing air pollution sources can help patients experience less breathing difficulties in their daily lives.

1. Keep the indoor air clean

The respiratory system of COPD patients is relatively fragile and very sensitive to pollutants in the air. Therefore, it is very important to keep the indoor air clean. Patients can use air purifiers to reduce indoor dust, pollen and other allergens. At the same time, avoid using tobacco, aromatherapy and other items that are prone to produce harmful smoke indoors. If there are family members who smoke, try to dissuade them or ask them to smoke outdoors to prevent secondhand smoke from causing harm to the patient's respiratory system.

2. Suitable indoor humidity

Appropriate indoor humidity can help alleviate the dryness of the respiratory tract and improve breathing difficulties. Too dry air can irritate the respiratory tract and increase coughing and sputum secretion. Therefore, you can use a humidifier in the dry season to keep the indoor humidity between 40% and 60%. However, the humidifier should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold, thereby avoiding secondary pollution to the respiratory system.

3. Avoid the impact of extreme weather

Extreme weather, especially cold and hot weather, can put extra pressure on the breathing of COPD patients. In the cold winter, low temperatures can cause the airways to constrict and aggravate breathing difficulties, so patients should wear masks or scarves when going out to keep their airways warm. In the hot summer, patients should avoid prolonged activities in high temperatures and can choose to do outdoor activities in the early morning or evening when the temperature is lower to reduce the impact of high temperatures on the respiratory system.

4. Reasonable diet: provide adequate nutrition for the body

Good nutrition is essential to the overall health of COPD patients. A proper diet can help improve immunity and reduce the occurrence of infections. It can also provide the necessary energy support to help patients cope with breathing difficulties.

1. High-protein, high-vitamin diet

COPD patients need to take in enough protein and vitamins to maintain the normal functioning of the body. Protein is very important for the maintenance and repair of muscles, and every breathing process involves the participation of muscles. Patients can take in enough protein through fish, chicken, beans, dairy products and other foods. In addition, vitamin C, vitamin D and other nutrients are also important nutrients for maintaining immunity, which can be supplemented by eating more fruits and vegetables and getting enough sun.

2. Eat small and frequent meals to avoid feeling full

COPD patients should be careful not to eat too much at one time, because overeating can cause the diaphragm to move upward, compress the lungs, and aggravate breathing difficulties. Therefore, eating small meals frequently is a good eating strategy that can meet nutritional needs while avoiding excessive burden on the respiratory system.

Conclusion

Although the dyspnea of ​​COPD patients cannot be completely eliminated, scientific methods and active self-management can significantly improve symptoms and improve the quality of life. From breathing exercises, moderate exercise, to psychological adjustment and a reasonable diet, these measures can help patients better cope with the challenges of dyspnea in daily life. Every small change in life will bring greater improvement and more life possibilities for COPD patients. As long as they persist in facing it positively and gradually adopt methods that suit them, COPD patients can also have a healthier and more comfortable life. I hope that this article can provide practical information and encouragement to the majority of COPD patients and their families. Let us walk together on the road to improving health and moving towards a better quality of life.

Author: Huang Xiaocheng, Lishui Second People's Hospital