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Vol
14, No. 4 LINCARE
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Breathing Exercises |
Making
the Most of Your Doctor Visit
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A technique called pursed-lip breathing can help improve lung function before starting activities. It takes about 10 minutes. When first learning the technique, the patient should lie flat on a bed with the head on a pillow. Later, the technique can be performed while walking or enduring any activity requiring extra air. First, the patient inhales through the nose, moving the abdominal muscles outward so that the lungs fill with air. The patient then exhales through the mouth with the lips pursed, making a hissing sound. The exhalation should be twice as long as the inhalation, so that all air is forced out and pressure should be experienced in the windpipe and chest. The use of an incentive spirometer for 15 minutes twice a day may also be helpful in strengthening breathing muscles and loosening sputum. This is a small hand-held device that contains a breathing gauge. The patient exhales and then inhales forcefully through the tube, using the pressure of the inhalation to raise the gauge to the highest level possible. |
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Here are some points you may want to discuss with your doctor. Don't hesitate to ask questions to clarify points. Also, ask your doctor to rephrase a reply you cannot understand. You may want to take a family member or friend to the appointment with you to help you better understand and remember what's said. Briefly describe your symptoms, even those you feel may not be important. You may want to keep a list so you will remember them. Tell the doctor all of the medications you takeincluding over-the-counter drugsand any problems you may be having with them. Be sure you understand all of the doctor's instructionsespecially for medications. Know what drug to take when, how often, and in what amount. Find out what side effects are possible from any drug the doctor prescribes for you. Ask the meaning of any medical term you don't understand. If, after your appointment, you still have questions or are uncertain about your treatment, call the doctor's office to get the information you need. NHLBI, Heart Failure |
