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6 amazing breathing exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is the permanent damage of the airways (bronchial tubes) which carry air in and out of the lungs. When lungs are infected and the walls of bronchial tubes are injured, the airways become choked with mucus. In this condition, your airways cannot provide adequate oxygen in and out of your lungs. Damaged airways block the passage for normal breathing and you cannot breathe properly. Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy and special breathing exercises to make you comfortable with your daily activities. Your physiotherapist may help you loosen the mucus by carrying out controlled dabs on your chest. This condition may improve if you practice certain breathing exercises which provide necessary oxygen to your lung. The mucus from your airways can come out through these breathing exercises. Here . are some of the best exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis.

Forced Expiration Breathing Exercise

Forced Expiration Breathing Exercise

  1. Sit on a cozy chair which you find comfortable keeping your back straight.
  2. Look straight keeping your chin up.
  3. Your mouth should be opened.
  4. Deep breaths should be taken for two or three minutes.
  5. Now you may slow down the process of breathing.
  6. Stop breathing for three or four seconds.
  7. The air may be collected and stayed below or behind the mucus in your airways.
  8. Now you can exhale and the process can stay longer than usual.
  9. You may stop when you see that you are about to cough out the mucus.
  10. You may repeat the exercise for another two or three times.
  11. Now you may cough out the mucus normally.

Deep Inspiration and Deep Expiration Exercise

Deep breathing exercises are one of the most effective exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis if you perform this exercise after your usual daily activities.

  1. You may lie down on a soft mattress keeping your back or side of your body.
  2. Relax yourself and your body must also be relaxed as well.
  3. Keep your one hand on your belly and the other hand on your chest.
  4. You may breathe very calmly through your nostrils and see your hands on your belly and chest and how they are rising and falling along with your breathing.
  5. Now breathe deeply through your nostrils and fill up your stomach with air.
  6. See that your chest should expand a little bit at the end of the above process of inhalation.
  7. Now you may breathe out the air through your mouth.
  8. You may work out the above exercise for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Three Stage Deep Breathing Exercise

Breathing-exerciseThis exercise may be performed in the morning for the best result. This is one of the most effective exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis:

  1. Keeping your eyes closed, you may sit or lie on the side of your body.
  2. Now you may breathe out air through your nostrils keeping the process of exhalation from the upper part of your chest down to your midriff.
  3. Now you may pause for a few seconds at the end of the process of exhalation.
  4. You may breathe in slowly through nostrils for five or six seconds.
  5. You may fill up your stomach first and then your upper part of your body.
  6. Now once again stop the process of taking in air for a few seconds.
  7. You may repeat the above process for another nine times.

Natural Breathing Exercise – one of the best exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis

Natural breathing exercise can be performed at any time.

  1. You may stand or sit at your ease keeping your arms very comfortably at your sides.
  2. Breathe in air through your nostrils.
  3. See that all the parts of your lungs get the air.
  4. Now hold your breath for few seconds and then breathe out the air slowly keeping your stomach and chest in relaxed mode.
  5. You may repeat the exercise for 10 minutes or so.
  6. For achieving excellent result out of this exercise, do it at least two times a day.

Pursed-Lip Breathing exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis

Pursed-Lip BreathingPursed-lip breathing can be executed after any grueling work.

  1. You may sit on a chair very comfortably.
  2. Now breathe in the air slowly and deeply through your nostrils.
  3. You may close your lips together and try to breathe out the air through your closed lips very slowly and in even manner.
  4. Take your time to breathe out the air.
  5. Repeat the above process as many times as you can until you find that you are comfortable with your breathing.
  6. If you feel slightly dizzy take some rest.
  7. If you practice the process of pursed-lip breathing daily, at least 3 to 4 times a day, you may see that it is very effective.

Diaphragmatic Breathing With Pursed Lips

Your physiotherapist may help you to practice diaphragmatic breathing with pursed lips for the first few days.

  1. You may lie down keeping your knees bent.
  2. Keep your hand on your stomach, just above your waist.
  3. Try to relax before you start this exercise.
  4. Breathe in air deeply through your nostrils while slowly pushing up your stomach. You may experience that the hand on your stomach moving outward. With your extended stomach, your diaphragm gets more space for air in your lungs.
  5. See that your chest does not move very much. For this, you may place your other hand on your chest.
  6. Breathe out air slowly from your pursed lips moving your hands on your stomach gently to vacate your lungs completely.
  7. Try to do your exhalation and inhalation process very slowly.
  8. Try to do this exercise in a sitting or standing position whichever you feel comfortable to do.

You must consume fluids adequately and eat a very healthy diet to maintain normal health. You must also maintain a healthy weight. Avoid smoking, fumes, and dust that can damage your lungs. You go walking every morning regularly. If possible you can go swimming as well to make the mucus soft and light so that it can come out very easily with controlled coughing. Just remember to perform these exercises to get rid of bronchiectasis.

If you find any abnormality during breathing exercises, immediately consult your doctor or physiotherapist. As bronchiectasis patient, you must avoid respiratory infections by having yearly flu vaccinations along with pneumonia vaccinations. Read on to know more about how you can use natural methods to treat respiratory problems.

6 effective tips to treat respiratory problems naturally

Coughing upRespiratory problems arising out of the heightened pollution levels, a by-product of our so-called industrial development, are so common nowadays that we live with them as if they were an indispensable enemy. However, instead of suffering silently and letting them reach alarming levels that require hospitalization or heavy doses of medicines, we can capsize them at the very onset by the use of natural remedies. Some of the widely accepted natural remedies to help fight the common respiratory tract infections include the following:

Managing the humidity levels

Humidity levels play a vital role in expelling the sputum that causes respiratory tract infection. Inhaling the steam, while taking a steam bath or installing a heater or mist humidifier in the room to keep the air warm, eases breathing and assists in dislodging the mucus. Additionally, adding eucalyptus or peppermint to the water soothes the irritated tract further.

Steam inhalation

steamSince the respiratory tract becomes dry and sore, the passage of phlegm through coughing becomes very painful. Hence, it is very important to keep the tract moist to help the mucus exit the passageway easily. It is thus advisable to take warm water in a bucket, cover one\’s head with a towel and inhale the steam. Additionally, if a tablespoon of salt is added to the water, it soothes the irritated membrane of the throat as well as suppress inflammation of the lungs. Another natural remedy, aeolian vapor, when sprayed in the room, helps not only in sanitizing the air but also by clearing the respiratory tract.

Herbal remedies

Since time immemorial, various herbs have been extensively used to cure common respiratory tract discomforts. Thyme in this regard is very effective in strengthening the lungs from probable infections and expelling the phlegm. Thyme can be added to boiling water and consumed as a tea or be mixed with olive oil and rubbed on the lungs to ease breathing. Savory, another equally capable herb aids in expectoration. In addition, other equally allaying herbs such as bay leaves, mullein, lungwort and licorice roots have also been utilized by our ancestors for their medicinal properties in curing respiratory infections by relieving the lungs of the mucus and easing the breathing process.

Consuming liquids

 consuming lots of waterSince the respiratory system becomes dry and irritated due to the infection, consuming lots of water would make one feel quite relaxed and calm. Liquids of any kind either warm or cold could help in expelling the sputum of the system. Thus, taking large quantities of liquids especially warm ones, which is preferred by most, such a tea, coffee or warm water soothes the irritated muscles and assists in the easy expulsion of the infected phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Cures from the kitchen

Lemon juice, when combined with warm or hot water, eases the sore throat besides ridding the respiratory tract of mucus and bacteria. Consuming lemon tea and gargling with lemon water offers great relief in soothing the irritated tract as well as expelling the mucus off the system. Ginger, another miraculous remedy, has shown high levels of soothing properties in easing respiratory infections as well. Ginger when combined with cloves, cinnamon, boiling water and consumed as tea is a great expectorant besides, soothing the throat and the lungs arising due to the infection.

Almonds and honey

honeyOne wonder nut that has shown encouraging results in curing respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, almonds when consumed elaborately either solely, or as an ingredient in citrus salads or with honey and cinnamon, roasted or sliced. It soothes the respiratory tract due to the constituent high levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamins which have shown to exhibit marvelous healing powers. On the other hand, honey has been elaborately used in the east since ages as a cure to many ailments including respiratory tract infections. Honey, when combined with soaked onions is an effective remedy for sore throat.

Besides, the above natural remedies, it is always advisable to stay indoors and take rest as much as possible. Not only does it deter any further infection by coming in contact with contaminated people, places or things but also arrests further transfer of the infection from the infected person to other people. Washing hands frequently, using fresh towels, wearing masks and gloves further discourages the spread of the infection while causing quick recovery. However, if the condition gets serious and out of hand or is a frequent occurrence medical help is recommended.

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