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Living with COPD

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Breathing Exercises

Practice these exercises to get the most out of your lungs. And you thought you already knew how to breathe!

Relieving shortness of breath with pursed-lip breathing

Pursed-lip breathing is a good technique to use when you're taking a long walk or doing more difficult activities — like bending, lifting, or climbing stairs.

It helps move old air out of your lungs. And it helps you relax. Check out this slide show to see how it's done.

Pursed-Lip Breathing

Step 1:

Sit upright and relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

Step 2:

Close your mouth and breathe in slowly through your nose. Don't take a deep breath, just a normal one will do. Count to two:

Step 3:

Exhale slowly while pursing your lips as if you were going to whistle. Count to four:

Step 4:

Repeat Steps 1-3 for a minute or two — or as long as you feel comfortable.

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Strengthening your diaphragm for better breathing

Breathing is normally an involuntary activity. You do it mostly without thinking. But when you have COPD, that changes.

You find that breathing gets harder. You start using other muscles to help you breathe — and your diaphragm may become weaker.

Try this technique, called diaphragmatic or belly breathing, to help strengthen your diaphragm.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Step 1:

Lie down on your back on a flat surface or in bed, with your knees bent and your head supported. You can use a pillow under your knees for support if you want.

Step 2:

Place one hand on your upper chest and the other just below your rib cage. This will allow you to feel your diaphragm move as you breathe.

Step 3:

Breathe in slowly through your nose so that your stomach moves out against your hand.

The hand on your chest should remain as still as possible.

Step 4:

Tighten your stomach muscles, letting them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips.

The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.

Step 5:

You can also do this technique while sitting in a chair.

Sit comfortably in a chair with your knees bent. Your shoulders, head, and neck should be relaxed.

Step 6:

Place one hand on your upper chest and your other hand just below your rib cage. Breathe in slowly through your nose so you can feel your stomach move out against your hand.

The hand on your chest must remain as still as possible.

Step 7:

To breathe out, tighten your stomach muscles. Let them fall inward as you exhale through pursed lips.

Continue to keep the hand on your chest as still as possible.

Step 8:

Do this for 5-10 minutes at a time.

The hand on your upper chest must remain as still as possible.

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Catching your breath using comfortable breathing positions

There are certain breathing positions that put less strain on your diaphragm and are therefore more comfortable for you as you try to catch your breath. They can be done while sitting or standing. Check out the slide show to see what they are.

Comfortable Breathing

Step 1:

For the sitting position, rest your feet flat on the floor.

Lean your chest forward slightly and rest your elbows on your knees. (Or you can rest your chin on your hands.)

Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

Step 2:

Or, you can rest your arms on a table or desk, and rest your head on your forearms or some pillows.

Step 3:

For the standing position, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart.

Step 4:

Lean your hips back against a wall for support.

Lean your torso forward and rest your hands on your thighs (or let them dangle in front of you).

Step 5:

If there's something nearby you can lean on - a table, windowsill, or banister rail - lean forward and rest your hands or elbows on top of that.

Relax your neck and your shoulders.

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Clearing your airways with forceful coughing

With COPD comes mucus, which makes breathing more difficult. And while not technically a breathing exercise, forceful coughing is a good technique to know when you need to clear your airways of mucus. It's a simple process that's illustrated in the slide show below.

Forceful Coughing

Step 1:

Sit down comfortably in a chair and place both feet on the floor in front of you.

Lean your head forward slightly.

Step 2:

Take a deep breath. As you inhale, push your diaphragm out as much as you comfortably can.

Step 3:

Hold your breath for a count of three.

1... 2... 3.

Step 4:

Cough out twice while keeping your mouth open.

Step 5:

Spit the mucus into a tissue and throw it away.

The first cough loosens the mucus in your chest. The second cough moves it toward your throat.

Repeat once or twice as necessary.

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School for lungs

Want personal instruction in caring for your COPD? Ask your doctor if a pulmonary rehab program is right for you.

Is it a flare-up?

If you're still not catching your breath after your breathing exercises, be sure you're not having a flare-up. Learn more>

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (please scroll)

Do not use Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent®) or any of the ingredients in SPIRIVA. If your breathing suddenly worsens, your face, throat, lips, or tongue swells, you get hives, itching or rash, stop taking SPIRIVA and seek immediate medical help.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HandiHaler device.

If you have vision changes or eye pain or if you have difficulty passing urine or painful urination, stop taking SPIRIVA and call your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with SPIRIVA. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are allergic to milk proteins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. Also discuss with your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops.

The most common side effect with SPIRIVA is dry mouth. Others include constipation and trouble passing urine. For a complete list of reported side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not let the powder from the SPIRIVA capsule get into your eyes.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA. Should you experience these symptoms, you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.

Read the Patient Information and the step-by-step Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA before you use your inhaler.

INDICATION

SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a prescription medicine used once each day (a maintenance medicine) to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler also reduces the likelihood of flare-ups and worsening of COPD symptoms (COPD exacerbations).

The information provided on this site is for general information and educational purposes only. You should always consult a doctor for diagnosing and treating a health or fitness problem, and before using any drug product discussed on this site.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use.

DISCLAIMER

The tips contained on this site convey general information and are not intended to be, nor should they be used as, a replacement for the advice of a licensed physician. Your doctor knows your specific condition. As with all things medical, you should talk to your doctor before you start any treatment, exercise, diet, or other lifestyle change.

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This information is for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (please scroll)

Do not use Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent®) or any of the ingredients in SPIRIVA. If your breathing suddenly worsens, your face, throat, lips, or tongue swells, you get hives, itching or rash, stop taking SPIRIVA and seek immediate medical help.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HandiHaler device.

If you have vision changes or eye pain or if you have difficulty passing urine or painful urination, stop taking SPIRIVA and call your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with SPIRIVA. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are allergic to milk proteins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. Also discuss with your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops.

The most common side effect with SPIRIVA is dry mouth. Others include constipation and trouble passing urine. For a complete list of reported side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not let the powder from the SPIRIVA capsule get into your eyes.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA. Should you experience these symptoms, you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.

Read the Patient Information and the step-by-step Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA before you use your inhaler.

INDICATION

SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a prescription medicine used once each day (a maintenance medicine) to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler also reduces the likelihood of flare-ups and worsening of COPD symptoms (COPD exacerbations).

The information provided on this site is for general information and educational purposes only. You should always consult a doctor for diagnosing and treating a health or fitness problem, and before using any drug product discussed on this site.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use.

DISCLAIMER

The tips contained on this site convey general information and are not intended to be, nor should they be used as, a replacement for the advice of a licensed physician. Your doctor knows your specific condition. As with all things medical, you should talk to your doctor before you start any treatment, exercise, diet, or other lifestyle change.