If you have been diagnosed with emphysema, just taking in a deep breath can be painful and challenging. Emphysema occurs when air sacs in the lungs are destroyed, usually due to smoking cigarettes or cigars. Emphysema affects your lungs and their ability to absorb and expel air. Breathing exercises may help you empty your lungs and absorb more air, according to MayoClinic.com. Consult your doctor before attempting breathing exercises.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Learning to control your breathing with your diaphragm may help you expel more air from your lungs, notes MayoClinic.com. To strengthen your diaphragmatic breathing, lie on your back and place pillows under your head and knees. Breathe in and out slowly as you relax your entire body. Place your fingers on your abdomen, just underneath your ribcage. As you breath in, press your abdomen against your fingers. Your chest should stay completely motionless. Inhale slowly through your mouth as you count to three, then exhale through your mouth with pursed lips for six counts, recommends MayoClinic.com. Repeat until breathing feels easier and your lungs and chest feel relaxed.
Chest Expansions
The National Emphysema Foundation website recommends doing chest expansion breathing exercises to prevent using the muscles in your chest and neck to take a breath, which will allow you to take a deeper breath from the diaphragm. Sit on a chair and place your feet on the floor, then place your hands just under your ribs on each side. Breathe in through your nose as you press out your hands with your ribs. Exhale through tight, pursed lips as your chest releases. Repeat for a total of 10 times.
Deep Breathing
Practice deep breathing to fill your lungs with air and expel your lungs completely. While standing, pull your elbows behind you as you inhale. Hold your breath, keeping your chest in an arching position for five counts, recommends MayoClinic.com. Push the air out of your lungs by bringing your elbows back to your sides and tensing the abdominal muscles. Repeat for a total of 10 times.
Pursed-Lip Breathing
Breathing with pursed lips will help you expel more air out of your lungs. Inhale through your nose to warm and moisten the air, recommends the National Emphysema Foundation. Exhale with your lips pursed as slow as you can, as if you are whistling. Rather than force the air out, allow it to come out slowly. If you inhaled for a count of three, exhale for at least a count of six, so you are breathing out at least twice as long as you breathed in. Practice pursed-lip breathing several times a day, and repeat whenever you have difficulty breathing.
