How Can I Stop Breathing Problems?

Three techniques to control breathing include:

1. Pursed lip breathing: You can use pursed-lip breathing to control your breathing at any time. This helps get all the air out of your lungs, which is especially important for people with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease because restricted airways can trap air in the lungs.
   • Inhale slowly through your nose; then, purse your lips as if you are about to blow out a candle.
   • Blow out with your lips while still keeping them in pursed position.
   • When you exhale, imagine blowing out a candle.
   • Blow out for as long as you are comfortable. Don’t force your lungs to empty.
2. Blow as you go: This technique helps you simplify tasks and activities. Use it when you are doing something that causes you to lose your breath. It can be used along with pursed-lip breathing.
   • Take a deep breath before you make the effort.
   • Exhale while you are exerting yourself.
   • For example, while standing, breathe in right before you step or rise and then exhale as you stand up.
   • Experiment with pursing your lips as you blow out.
3. Paced breathing: Paced breathing is beneficial while you are active, such as walking or climbing stairs. Your steps are timed to match your breathing. It can be used along with pursed-lip breathing.
   • Count out loud while you walk or move.
   • For example, breathe in as you take one step and breathe out after one or two steps.
   • You may take additional steps as you breathe in or out.
   • You can experiment with your breathing with several steps and determine which suits you best for you.

Six positions to recover from ongoing breathing problems include:

1. Stand leaning your back against the wall:
   • Place your feet slightly apart, roughly one foot or 30 cm from the wall.
   • Put your hands at your sides and relax them.
   • This position can be useful for most people with lung conditions.
   • You can perform this at home or when you are out.
2. Stand leaning forward:
   • Lean forward from the hips, with your forearms resting on something at an appropriate height such as a chair or kitchen work area.
   • You could use a walking stick, wheeled frame, or grocery trolley when shopping.
3. Sit leaning forward:
   • Sit leaning forward at a table when you are out of breath.
   • Place some pillows on the table and rest your head and arms on the pillows.
4. Lie sideways on the floor and bend the knee close to the floor:
   • Lie on your side with pillows beneath your chin.
   • Make sure your neck is supported by the upper pillow.
   • Slightly bend the knee of the leg you are lying on while keeping your upper leg straight.
   • This assists you to spread your legs apart.
   • This position can help if you are having trouble breathing while resting and when your symptoms flare-up.
5. Sit straight up in a chair:
   • Sit up straight in a firm chair and place your hands on a chair armrest or your thighs.
   • Loosen your wrists and hands so that they become relaxed.
6. High side-lying:
   • Lie on your side with pillows beneath your head and shoulders.
   • Use more than two pillows such that your neck raises high.
   • Check that your top pillow is supporting your neck.
   • Bend your knees, hips, and top leg slightly.

Your doctor will recommend medical treatment based on your symptoms and the cause of your breathing problem.

• In severe conditions, your doctor may place oxygen support through a tube that sits under your nostrils, or they may place an oxygen mask on your nose and mouth.
• The primary step to reduce breathing problems is to eliminate or rectify the underlying cause of the breathing issue.
• Medications are to be given to treat those causes.
• If the lung fails to function properly, as seen in conditions such as COVID-19 pneumonia, you may require ventilator support.

Breathing problems, breathing difficulty, or shortness of breath (dyspnea) are terms used to describe when you have uncomfortable breathing and feel like you are not getting enough air.

There is no universally accepted definition of breathing difficulty. Even in the absence of a medical problem, some people feel out of breath after only a few minutes of light exertion (such as ascending stairs).

Wheezing is a symptom that occurs in many people with breathing problems. It refers to a high-pitched sound when you breathe, typically when you exhale. Because breathing problems may indicate an underlying infection (such as COVID-19) or lung and heart conditions, it is important to consult a healthcare provider.

Breathing problems are mostly associated with underlying diseases of the lungs or heart. 

Some of the causes of breathing problems include:

• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Croup
• Pulmonary embolism
• COVID-19
• Other flu infections
• Lung cancer
• Heart failure
• Heart rhythm problems
• Anxiety
• Panic attack
• Anemia
• Allergic reactions
• Obesity
• Smoking
• High altitude
• Extreme cold weather
• Poor indoor ventilation