COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow.

Symptoms include a cough, sputum production and breathlessness, which gradually worsen over time and if not adequately managed can be debilitating. Along with a healthy lifestyle of quitting smoking, appropriate exercise, avoiding air pollutants, treating respiratory infections and reducing inflammation; breathing therapy can be incorporated into self care and management. 

Breathlessness in COPD can be aggravated by

  • Hyperinflation of the lungs (this is when the breath is stacked on top of each inhale)

  • Anxious breathing

  • Weak inspiratory muscles such as the diaphragm

  • Dysfunctional breathing patterns

Breathing training can help to

  • Improve breathing efficiency

  • Strengthen the inspiratory muscles

  • Reduce breathlessness

  • Reduce stress and fear related to breathlessness

  • Relax breathing 

  • Ferrari, K., et al., Breathlessness and control of breathing in patients with COPD. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis., 1997. 52(1): p. 18-23.

    Giardino, N.D., L. Chan, and S. Borson, Combined heart rate variability and pulse oximetry biofeedback for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a feasibility study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2004. 29: p. 121-133.

    Gigliotti, F., I. Romagnoli, and G. Scano, Breathing retraining and exercise conditioning in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a physiological approach. Respiratory Medicine, 2003. 97(3): p. 197-204.

    Gosselink, R.A., Controlled breathing and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Rehabil Res Dev., 2003. 40(5 Suppl 2): p. 25-33.

    Law, Ruane, L. E., Low, K., Hamza, K., & Bardin, P. G. (2018). Dysfunctional breathing is more frequent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in asthma and in health. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 247, 20–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.resp.2017.08.011