Living with hyperinflated lungs and constant shortness of breath is genuinely exhausting — and it's one of the most common challenges for people with COPD. The good news is there are some breathing techniques that can help release trapped air and ease that breathless feeling.
Pursed Lip Breathing is a great starting point:
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Living with hyperinflated lungs and constant shortness of breath is genuinely exhausting — and it's one of the most common challenges for people with COPD. The good news is there are some breathing techniques that can help release trapped air and ease that breathless feeling.
Pursed Lip Breathing is a great starting point:
- Breathe in slowly through your nose for about 2 seconds
- Pucker your lips like you're blowing out a candle
- Breathe out through pursed lips for 4 to 6 seconds (twice as long as you inhale)
- Repeat a few times
This helps release trapped air and improves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs. Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing is another helpful technique, though a little more advanced:
- Lie back or recline comfortably
- Place one hand on your chest, one just below your ribs
- Breathe in through your nose, focusing on making your belly rise — chest stays still
- Exhale through pursed lips, letting your belly fall
- Repeat for 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times a day
It's worth practicing this with a healthcare provider first to make sure you're doing it correctly.
If shortness of breath is getting worse, waking you at night, or your oxygen levels drop below 90% on a pulse oximeter, reach out to your doctor soon. And if you're gasping, unable to speak, or lips are turning blue — that's a medical emergency.
September 18
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