Chronic obstructive lung disease, more commonly called COPD, makes breathing difficult and limits your exercise tolerance. COPD is not reversible, but you can learn lung exercises to build up your stamina and your ability to breathe more comfortably. Lung specialists with the Canadian and American Lung Associations advise COPD patients to join a respiratory rehabilitation program where you can learn more about breathing exercises, stay in shape and share experiences with others.
Pursed Lip Breathing
Blow somebody a kiss and your lips are almost perfectly positioned for pursed lip breathing, or PLB. Ohio State University respiratory specialists describe PLB like playing a flute or whistling. Force your exhaled breath between lips held tightly together, or pursed. This position creates a slight pressure inside your lungs, splinting your airways open so you can exhale more fully. As a result, you will inhale more fresh air on your next breath. Do not inhale through pursed lips; inhale through your nose.
PLB improves your breathing pattern, gives you more oxygen and eliminates more carbon dioxide.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Place one hand on your abdomen slightly above your navel, and the other hand on the upper part of your chest. Inhale through your nose, slowly and deeply. Notice the hand on your abdomen moving upward. Control your chest muscles so the hand on your chest does not move. Then exhale slowly with pursed lips. Notice the hand on your abdomen moving downward while your chest remains still.
Continue abdominal breathing to strengthen your diaphragm, developing your ability to take fuller, deeper breaths. This exercise can be done in any body position.
Controlled Cough
Learn the most efficient way to cough using the muscles in your chest, abdomen, neck and shoulders to clear mucus more efficiently and comfortably. The Clinical Guidelines of the American Association for Respiratory Care, the AARC, widely accepted since their introduction in 1993, describe the method of controlled, or directed, coughing.
Sit up straight and inhale deeply and slowly. Hold your breath for three to four seconds. Slowly exhale about 1/4 of the air, then cough forcefully. Repeat this pattern three times. If you find yourself light-headed or tired, take a break for three or four minutes after each set of three coughs. Repeat this pattern for three or four cycles once an hour, if needed.
A huff cough is similar. After a deep breath in, exhale until you sense an urge to cough, but try not to cough yet. Repeat this breathing pattern three times. This will raise mucous to a point that you can now forcefully cough it out. Repeat this three times every hour if needed.
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