We know that COPD is an irreversible disease, and patients often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and cough. So is there any way to prevent COPD from getting worse and improve the patient's symptoms?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary pulmonary respiration (COPP) training on the basis of drugs is an effective means. Breathing** training has become an important part of the management of chronic respiratory diseases because it can delay disease progression and reduce symptoms, but it is often neglected by patients with COPD. So, today I will tell you about the importance of COPD breathing training.
Patients with COPD have decreased elastic retraction, diffuse narrowing of the small airways, and increased intrathoracic pressure, often resulting in premature closure of the small airways and restricted expiratory airflow during expiration. When pursed lip breathing, the peripheral resistance can be increased, the pressure in the airway increases, and the small airway is prevented from being trapped and narrowed during breathing, which is conducive to the full discharge of gas in the lungs and the effective distribution of gas in the lungs, thereby improving the gas exchange, and at the same time, the pursed lip breathing slows down the breathing rate, prolongs the inhalation and exhalation, helps to inhale more fresh gas during the next breath, increases the amount of air and alveolar ventilation, increases the discharge of carbon dioxide, and improves the internal hypoxia. Abdominal breathing training is more effective in compensating for the lack of thoracic breathing in the presence of lung lesions, and it increases the alveoli to expand the alveoli and increase gas exchange by increasing the range of motion and function of the diaphragm. Improves ventilation function. Pursed lip breathing, abdominal breathing and breathing operation are a form of medical sports, through long-term exercise, the respiratory muscles, especially the diaphragm, are strong and powerful, improve the breathing form, improve the breathing efficiency, promote expectoration, enhance immune function and physical fitness, so that the reduced lung function can be restored and prevent the further decline of lung function.
Relevant data show that after 3 to 6 months of respiratory training, there is a statistically significant difference between SAO2 (pulse oximetry) and before training, and the lung function after training is significantly improved compared with before training, which reflect thoracic capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and lung tissue elasticity, VCMAX (maximum vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second). Therefore, scientific and reasonable breathing training can effectively improve the lung function of COPD and improve the quality of life of patients.
Now that we know the importance of breathing training, what are some of the breathing training methods that can help COPD patients?
1) Pursed lip breathing.
Pursed lip breathing is indicated for patients with severe COPD. The specific method is as follows: when the patient exhales, the lips are half-closed and constricted to form a whistle shape, avoiding excessive tightening of the cheeks, and exhaling slowly and evenly. The ratio of inhalation to expiratory time is 1 2 (can be counted silently during inhalation and silently counted during exhalation).
Training points: Make sure to inhale deeply and exhale slowly each time.
Training intensity: 3 to 4 times a day; 15-20 minutes per session.
2) Abdominal breathing.
Abdominal breathing is suitable for patients with moderate to severe COPD in a form of breathing in which the stomach bulges due to inhalation and inhales and reverses due to expulsion during exhalation. You can imagine that your belly is an uninflated balloon, and when you inflate the balloon, the balloon will expand and bulge, and when it is deflated, the balloon will shrink and deflat. Abdominal breathing can be trained in any position, and it is recommended to start with the simplest semi-recumbent or recumbent position, followed by sitting and standing positions.
Training points: Breathe slowly and deeply, which can better increase ventilation and relieve the symptoms of shortness of breath.
Training intensity: 1 2 times a day, 15 to 30 minutes per session.
If people feel that their energy is declining, aerobic or anaerobic exercise may be tried.
Aerobic exercise is suitable for patients with mild COPD. Aerobic exercise includes walking and riding a power bike. When walking, the heart rate should be maintained at 60% to 80% of the maximum heart rate (maximum heart rate = 220 - age). Walk for at least 20 minutes and no more than 1 hour a day. Walking distance is calculated from the results of the 6-minute walk test (recommended walking distance = 6-minute distance measured by the 6-minute walk test: 6 minutes (20-30) minutes (60%, 80%)) and training at least 5 times a week. Riding a power bike is good for improving the training of heart muscle and respiratory muscles. The resistance value of a power bike is generally determined by the results of the cardiopulmonary exercise test, and it is gradual. The training time is at least 20 minutes and the maximum is 1 hour. Heart rate is maintained at 60% to 80% of maximum heart rate at least 3 times a week.
Anaerobic exercise is suitable for patients with moderate COPD. Including upper limb training, core training, lower limb training, etc.
1) Arm curl.
Lightweight weightlifting can help patients carry up to 4 litres of milk or reach high objects. Choose dumbbells, elastic bands, or water bottles to try arm curls. Hold a weight at your sides, palms forward, and inhale. Now lift towards your chest, keep your elbows down, and exhale slowly. Slowly lower your arms as you inhale. Two sets of 10 to 15 repetitions can be repeated.
1) Squats. Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes facing forward (or slightly outward).
As you inhale, press your core and sit down with your hips as if you were sitting in a chair, while your arms are forward and level on your chest. (Use your hips to kick things off, not your knees!) )
Keep your upper body raised and your chest straight, pay attention to the knees not buckled inward, and the center of gravity is evenly between the feet.
Continue to squat low until your thighs are parallel to the ground (for different skill levels, start with 1 4 squats), keeping your knees moving towards your toes.
Finally, as you exhale, stand firmly on your heels and return to a standing position.
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