The Power of Exercise for People with Asthma

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the GlobalInitiative for Asthma to improve asthma awareness and care around the world.World Asthma Day is observed on the first Tuesday of May. The inaugural WorldAsthma Day was held in 1998.

In Asthmatics dysfunctional breathing pattern is common.Breathing re-education and breathing based therapies have begun to re-emerge asa means of helping asthmatic and others suffering from breathingdisorders. 

   

One of the main ways in which a physiotherapist will workwith asthmatics is breathing retraining. There are number of breathingretraining techniques that can be learnt to help prevent and reduce the effectsof an asthma attack. Taking fewer, smaller breaths is one example of a popularbreathing retraining technique. Although issues and requirements vary frompatient to patient, this is a widely applicable technique.

Inspiratory muscle training is defined as a course oftherapy consisting of a series of breathing exercises that aim to strengthenthe respiratory muscles making it easier for people to breath. Inspiratorymuscle training is normally aimed at people who suffer from asthma, bronchitis,emphysema and COPD.

Timing & rhythm of breathing are also major aspects ofbreathing retraining. Breathing in through the nose and out the mouth at a slowpace will encourage an efficient, relaxing airflow. These techniques optimizeoxygen intake and satisfy the body’s demand for oxygen.

Apart from breathing retraining, physiotherapy can be usedto strengthen the body and its ability to breathe in general, thereby reducingthe onset of asthma attacks. Many asthmatics will avoid physically exertingactivities as they fear it may induce an asthma attack. While this is not atotally unfounded concern, as many activities can bring on such an attack, thisreduced physical activity will gradually reduce the body’s breathing abilityand worsen the condition. Working closely with a physiotherapist can not onlyhelp exercise the body to prevent such deterioration, but also build up thestrength of respiratory muscles such as the diaphragm. This is known asrespiratory muscle training, and can drastically increase a person’s quality oflife, breathing, and physical abilities.

It is important to remember the importance of working withdoctors and continuing to take any prescribed medicine, but working with aphysiotherapist can reduce a person’s reliance on that medication as well asthe frequency and severity of future attacks.

Breathing exercises such as:

•             Diaphragmaticbreathing: This is a basic and simple breathing technique that maximizes airdistribution in your lungs.You can lie down or sit. Concentrate on yourbreathing. Preferably you should breathe in slowly through your nose. When youinhale your abdomen should go out (not your chest). Exhale slowly with yourabdomen going inward. Ideally exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation.

•             Physicalmovement exercises: This type of breathing exercise combines physical elementsand breathing elements. Focus on good posture. Relax (tense all muscles, andthen relax, paying particular attention to muscles in shoulders and belly).Concentrate on breathing (close eyes). Focus on breathing while relaxed in restposition. Focus on breathing with shoulder rotation. Focus on breathing withforward curl. Focus on breathing with arm raises.

•             Buteykobreathing: This is a breathing technique that teaches asthmatics to consciouslyreduce either breathing rate or breathing volume. Sit upright, relax. Relaxchest and belly muscles while breathing. Focus, close your eyes and look up.Breathe through your nose gently (keep mouth closed). Breath slowly andshallow. Exhale slowly until you feel their is no air left in your lungs. Holdyour breath as long as you can and then return to gentle breathing.

•             Pursedlip breathing: This can be used when you are having an asthma attack. Sinceasthma causes air to become trapped in your lungs, this may help you get moreair out and may make breathing easier. This is where you inhale slowly throughyour nose and then exhale through pursed lips, or exhale slowly as though youwere going to whistle. You should exhale twice as long as you inhale. Thisshould be done while using diaphragmatic breathing as described above.

•             Progressiverelaxation technique: This technique helps to relax all the muscles in yourbody. Lie down and close your eyes. Concentrate on breathing through your nose.Use diaphragmatic breathing. Tighten muscles of right foot, relax, feeltension, release. Do same for other limbs. When done your body should feelweightless. Stay in relaxed state for as long as you want or need.

Important: Do not stop your inhalers or asthma medication.These breathing techniques do not affect your lung function but used alongsideyour asthma medication and chest clearance methods they can be effective inhelping you to cope better by reducing symptoms and improving your quality oflife.

Start today

If this article is motivating you to make a change, then dosomething straight away rather than just thinking “that sounds like a goodidea, I will start next week”. Sit down, determine how much time you can devoteeach day and write a plan. Your exercise plan should be written in consultationwith your physiotherapist and your respiratory specialist.

Stay safe

Of course, even when you’re exercising and improving yourhealth, the risks don’t go away. When exercising, make sure not only that yourmedications are close by, but you have an action plan in case you have a flareup. Also stay wary of your triggers, including dust, pollen, pollution, otherirritants like chlorine and of course colds or flus – as these might be causinga flare-up you could easily blame on the exercise itself. Adjust your plan ifthese triggers are getting in the way.

Dr Shadman Pandit PT is Consultant Physiotherapist, MPT(Neuro), MPT(Cardio)

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