Treatment of dyspnea

Treatment of shortness of breath depends on the cause of the syndrome.

For bronchial obstruction the following is prescribed:

• bronchodilators (beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists, anticholinergics, theophylline and its derivatives):
• anti-inflammatory drugs (for asthma and possibly for obstructive bronchitis);
• expectorants:
• oxygen therapy (for hypoxemia).

Oxygen is indicated not only for bronchial obstruction, but also for other diseases accompanied by hypoxemia. There is evidence that long-term oxygen therapy can reduce the mortality rate of COPD patients.

In case of emphysema, surgical reduction of lung volume (removal of the least functional part of the parenchyma) may be performed.

Treatment of shortness of breath in heart failure involves the administration of:

• cardiac glycosides;
• diuretics;
• oxygen therapy.

In patients with cancer or terminal stages of lung diseases, opiates and anxiolytics can reduce dyspnea.

In restrictive diseases, shortness of breath can be relieved by the method of continuous positive pressure (using a sealed mask and an air flow generator).

Chronic hypercapnia is treated by noninvasive ventilation. This method reduces hypercapnia and hypoxemia, relieves the respiratory muscles, and restores the sensitivity of the respiratory center.

Drug treatment of psychogenic dyspnea involves the administration of psychotropic drugs.

Read also about how to get rid of shortness of breath with medications and folk remedies in this article.

Exercises for shortness of breath

The best remedy for shortness of breath is considered to be regular dosed walking, preferably in the evenings and at a medium pace. This approach will not only strengthen the cardiovascular system, but also stabilize sleep. For those who do not experience shortness of breath from walking, we can recommend doing "Scandinavian walking" - this is a kind of sport that has become quite popular in recent years.

If walking as a physical activity does not suit you, you can take up swimming. Exercises in water improve cardiac circulation and blood supply to muscles and tissues.

For more prepared patients, doctors recommend squats. Usually, start with 5-10 squats, repeating after 30 seconds. You can hold on to any stable support with your hands. Squats can be done outdoors or in a well-ventilated room.

Cycling is a great exercise for training and strengthening the heart muscle and for stabilizing breathing. If you cycle daily, you can prevent the development of myocardial ischemia, atherosclerosis, and also reduce the risk of heart attack. However, if you are prone to dizziness, you should not ride a bicycle - in this case, it is better to consult a doctor.

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Breathing exercises for shortness of breath

Doctors recommend doing breathing exercises for shortness of breath, which will help strengthen the heart and improve blood supply to tissues. An approximate set consists of the following exercises.

1. Stand straight, feet shoulder-width apart, knees half-bent. Move your right arm to shoulder level. Cover your left nasal passage with the fingers of your left hand, with a little effort. Inhale deeply and slowly through your free nostril, and while doing this, slowly bring your right hand to your right nostril: at the end of the inhalation, close your right nostril. The duration of the breathing cycle should be measured by the number of heartbeats - you can act according to an increasing pattern, from 4 to 16 beats.
2. Sit on a chair. Inhale air first through the right nostril slowly, then quickly exhale through the left. After that, repeat the exercise in the opposite order. Stop the exercise if it causes discomfort, such as tachycardia or dizziness.
3. We take a quick breath in through one nostril, then a quick breath out through the other nostril. We repeat the exercise.
4. We take a quick breath in and a quick breath out through one nostril, then do the same through the other nostril.
5. We take a slow breath in and a slow breath out through one nostril, then the other. The breathing cycle should coincide with 4-10 heartbeats.
6. We take a slow breath in and out through both nostrils, then hold our breath for a bit.
7. We take a slow breath through our lips, as if through a tube, and then a similar breath out.

Mudra for shortness of breath

To get rid of the hated breathing problem, patients resort to a variety of means. In particular, some use the practice of mudra - this is a symbolic arrangement of the hands, or so-called "yoga for fingers." There are many such finger combinations. There is also a mudra that helps with shortness of breath.

How is mudra performed?

The index fingers are pressed against each other, and the remaining fingers are crossed, placed on the outer sides of the hands. The thumbs are also crossed. A small gap is left between the palms. If the patient is sitting, then his index fingers should be directed downwards, to the floor. If the patient is lying down, the fingers are directed to the legs. The hands should be as relaxed as possible.

When performing the mudra, the patient should imagine that he is sitting on a stone that protrudes in the middle of a stream of water. When exhaling, sweat comes out of all the skin pores and descends into the water of the stream. Finally, the patient washes himself with clean water from the stream and places his hands on his thighs, feeling how the body is warmed by the sun.

The mudra continues for 7-15 breaths, no longer: otherwise, pure energy will start to leave the body. It is imperative to concentrate on breathing.

The presented mudra is able to relieve difficulty breathing, fever, and overcome infectious diseases. According to experts, such a practice strengthens the immune system and can also be used for preventive purposes.

The listed exercises are good remedies for shortness of breath. They do not lead to overexertion, they can be done at any time of the day: the main thing is to try to fence yourself off from unnecessary thoughts and worries, relax. You can turn on light music.