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Self-Care & Coping with Emphysema

Self-Care

If you have emphysema, you can take a number of steps to halt its progression and to protect yourself from complications:

Coping with Emphysema Skills

Some simple exercises can improve your breathing if you have emphysema or another chronic lung disorder. They help you control the emptying of your lungs by using your abdominal muscles. Do them two to four times daily.

Diaphragmatic breathing
To perform this type of breathing exercise, take these steps:

Practice diaphragmatic breathing on your back until you can take 10 to 15 consecutive breaths in one session without tiring. Then practice it on one side and then on the other. Progress to doing the exercise while sitting erect in a chair, standing up, walking and finally, climbing stairs.

Pursed-lip breathing
Try the diaphragmatic breathing exercises with your lips pursed as you exhale, that is, with your lips puckered — the flow of air should make a soft "sssss" sound. Inhale deeply through your mouth and exhale. Repeat 10 times at each session.

Deep-breathing exercise
While sitting or standing, pull your elbows firmly backward as you inhale deeply. Hold the breath in, with your chest arched, for a count to 5, then force the air out by contracting your abdominal muscles. Repeat the exercise about 10-times.


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