Breathing Exercises Should Be One of Your Tools in Completely
Controlling Your Asthma Condition
Until recently, western medical research has been inconclusive
in determining whether or not there is real benefit for an
asthmatic to conduct breathing exercises as part of an overall
asthma management program. These exercises have certainly been
popular in many alternative type asthma management programs but
have not yet been embraced by allopathic, or traditional western
physicians.
But they are beneficial and will help an asthma sufferer reduce
symptoms and increase strength.
The two most often practiced techniques are Buteyko (named after
the Russian doctor who developed them) and a yoga training
technique known as pranayama. In very simple terms, Buteyko
exercises involve breathing through the nose (not mouth),
exhaling for as long as possible and then holding the breath as
long as possible at the end of the exhale. During the inhale, a
series of short, but shallow breaths are practiced. Pranayama is
about correct posture, relaxation and controlled, slow
inhalation and exhalation, with a focus on using the diaphragm
muscles to assist with breathing.
While breathing techniques have long been supported by
naturopathic physicians, it is only in the last several years
that the allopathic medical community (traditional doctors) has
moved to try and quantify any potential benefit from these
exercises. One study, published in the March 2004 edition of
"Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine" concluded there might be
some benefit, although more study was required.
In several patient groups (some using buteyko training and
others using pranayana), there did appear to be reduced asthma
symptoms although lung function did not appreciably change (as
measured by PEFR). Nevertheless, patients felt better and did
experience a reduction in need for relief medications.
How do breathing exercises help asthmatics
Since asthma is related to inflammation of the lungs and
constriction of the smooth involuntary bronchiole muscles, how
can doing breathing exercises help alleviate symptoms?
For starters, it is estimated that some 30% of asthmatics
suffer some degree of breathing dysfunction. Bad habits are
easily learned when suffering from asthma symptoms and it is not
uncommon for those habits to continue in between attacks -
breathing through the mouth and short, shallow breaths for
example.
This type of breathing deprives the lungs of their full
potential to effectively exchange oxygen with carbon dioxide.
Breathing exercises enforce good habits where the full range of
lung function is used. Consequently, the body gets the oxygen it
needs and the chronic asthmatic feels better, with more energy.
And not only will it make the breathing process more efficient,
there is evidence that breathing muscles (diaphragm and lung
muscles) are strengthened. So even if breath training doesn't
directly improve lung function, eliminating bad habits will
improve overall health and quality of life. And this new energy
level is important in getting stronger and finding the
motivation to attack asthma with a total management plan that
results in symptoms being completely controlled - with very
little, if any need for medications.
In addition to increased energy levels and stronger lung
muscles, there is another benefit to breathing exercises -even
if it doesn't directly result in increased lung function. And
that is when actually enduring an asthma attack.
Anyone who has asthma knows what it is like to struggle for
breath. You can't get enough air into your lungs and just as
agonizing, you can't seem to get any air out. Asthmatics who
practice correct breathing exercises are much more likely to be
able to endure, in a controlled manner, an asthma attack than
those that don't.
Of course that is not to say that controlled breathing replaces
relief medication - it most certainly doesn't. But it does
contribute, in a real way, to stabilizing the attack because the
asthmatic can fight the temptation to start breathing in an
uncontrolled manner. Indeed, biofeedback, a technique in which
patients are trained to basically will themselves to breath more
efficiently, seems to be getting more and more traction.
Controlling asthma cannot be achieved by only using one tool.
Multiple tools should be used - in addition to the control and
relief medications prescribed by your physician. Diet, exercise,
trigger controls are all essential components; and so is a good
and consistent program of breathing exercises. Using all of
these tools will allow an asthmatic to completely control her
disease and enjoy a symptom free lifestyle.