Self-exercise of respiratory function after COVID-19 infection

The rapid spread of the new strain "Delta" around the world has made people lament that the new coronavirus has made a comeback and has become even stronger. The reality of "long-term coexistence with humans" has also been slowly accepted by people. With the effective control of the epidemic in China and the rapid vaccination of vaccines, the current patients infected with the new coronavirus are mainly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms.

After infection with the new coronavirus, multiple important organs in the body may be affected, mainly affecting lung function. Patients may experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing after activities, and be unable to engage in heavy physical labor. Exercise tolerance is reduced. In severe cases, substantial changes may occur in the lungs, and inflammatory reactions in the body may intensify, leading to sputum retention, airway clearance disorders, and airway obstruction, leading to respiratory failure. According to the current statistics of cured cases, both mild and critical patients have experienced varying degrees of lung function impairment.

Therefore, it is essential to exercise your respiratory function independently after discharge. This issue of Science Popularization recommends two simple and effective methods of breathing function training at home.

1. Portable breathing trainer

The breathing trainer has two training modes: inhalation and exhalation. The more balls are sucked up or blown up, the stronger the respiratory muscles are.

When this aunt first used the breathing trainer, she could only suck up one small ball. After a week of training, she could easily suck up two balls. Her progress was obvious. The intensity of training depends on your own ability. Do it according to your ability and proceed step by step. Deep inhalation and deep exhalation can also help to expel phlegm.

2. Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercise training is another method to promote lung function recovery. Its advantage is that it is not limited by time or location, but it requires perseverance.

1. Chest stretching exercise

Action essentials: Hold your head with both hands, lift up when inhaling, and press your body down when exhaling.

2. Lateral chest lifting exercise

Action essentials: Place one hand on the opposite side of the chest, and raise the other hand. Press down to the opposite side when inhaling, and return to an upright position when exhaling. Repeat on both sides.

The above two sets of movements stretch the thorax up and down and left and right, which helps to restore and improve the mobility of the thorax, making the lungs more compliant and breathing more efficient.

3. Combined breathing exercises of upper and lower limbs

Key points of the movement: Exhale and relax, lift one hand when inhaling, press the hand down to the opposite side when exhaling, and bend the opposite leg to the chest at the same time.

Collaboration between the upper and lower limbs can develop better motor coordination.

The intensity of breathing exercise training should be based on your own situation, from easy to difficult, from little to more, step by step, and persist.

I hope this issue of science popularization can help you improve your lung function and promote lung health!