What is Pursed Lip Breathing?
Pursed lip breathing is a relaxation and calming technique used to help control the breathing process. When used regularly, it makes each breath more effective and will relieve shortness of breath, leaving the body generally relaxed. Pursed lip breathing helps people suffering with acute dyspnea from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and asthma to regain focused breathing.
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Benefits
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Improves ventilation and breathing patterns by bringing new air into the lungs, releasing any trapped or old air. The improvement in breathing pattern keeps the airways open longer and decreases the work of breathing.
Other Uses
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Use the pursed lip breathing technique during strenuous physical activities such as running, lifting, bending, climbing hills and stairs to help control breathing.
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Function
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Pursed lip breathing is done by inhaling air slowly through the nose, and then pursing the lips as if blowing out a candle's flame and exhaling slowly.
Prevention/Solution
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Pursed lip breathing is recognized by The Lung Association as a technique for controlling breathing in people who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema and bronchitis caused by smoking cigarettes and pollution.
Misconception
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According to Sierra Biotech, because pursed lip breathing works well in relaxing, some individuals under distress may strain the technique, where breathing in excessively harder and out will cause more back pressure and may result in a worsened breathing condition.
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