Cystic fibrosis is an inherited illness affecting one in 3000 live births. In the past, patients with cystic fibrosis died in their teens, but today they may live into their 50s with proper medical treatment and self-care. Cystic fibrosis involves overproduction of mucous, which causes lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Breathing exercises, such as active cycle breathing and yoga, may help clear mucous and protect your lungs. Talk to your doctor before trying new breathing techniques.
Active Cycle Breathing
Active cycle breathing technique is a simple pattern of breathing to help people with excess sputum. Constant coughing stresses your body and eventually damages muscles in your abdomen and pelvic floor. Active cycle breathing helps loosen mucous more quickly and easily than coughing, and causes less stress to your muscles. With your doctor's permission, use active cycle breathing three times a day for 10 minutes at a time. During periods of infection or exacerbation, use active cycle breathing every half an hour to an hour.
Breathing Control
The first part of active cycle breathing is breathing control. Find a comfortable sitting position or lie propped up on pillows. Breathe in and out at your natural pace. Rest one hand on your belly while you bring the other to your upper chest. Practice breathing in so that your belly expands on your inhale, but your upper chest does not move. Allow your belly to retract on your exhale. Repeat this pattern for about one minute.
Deep Breathing
The second part of active cycle breathing involves expanding lung tissue to remove secretions via deep breathing. Take three deep breaths through your nose, then relax and sigh to exhale each time through your mouth. Once you are comfortable with basic deep breathing, try holding for three seconds at the top of each inhale. You may also sniff air in quickly after you complete each exhale. After some practice, combine deep breathing with controlled breathing.
Huffing and Coughing
Do two to three cycles of breathing control and deep breathing, then try huffing, which helps move secretions up your airways. Take a moderate breath, then exhale forcefully through a wide-open mouth. Breathe out as though you want to fog up a mirror. Do one to two huffs with 10 seconds of breathing control in between. If you feel the sputum shift, try the second huff with a deep breath. Take a small cough after you finish huffing only if you feel able to clear the mucous. Otherwise, start over again with controlled breathing.
Yoga
The Mayo Clinic website recommends exercise for people with cystic fibrosis, because movement helps loosen mucous and strengthens your heart and lungs. Yoga is an excellent choice because it combines breathing techniques with exercise. Look for a yoga instructor with an advanced certification in therapeutic yoga for medical conditions. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
