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The airways of people with COPD often lose their tone and have a tendency to narrow during exhalation, making efficient lung emptying difficult. (The lungs NEVER completely empty.) The purpose of pursed lip breathing is to prevent this narrowing of the airways using slow, controlled exhalation.
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1. Inhale deeply through your nose if you can. Remember that the nose helps to warm, filter and moisten the air you inhale.
2. Exhale slowly through pursed lips. To purse your lips means to pucker them as if blowing out a candle or whistling. However, you are not forcing the air out, but blowing it out gently and gradually.
3. Exhale at least twice as long as you inhale. For example, if you inhale for a count of 2, exhale for a count of 4 or more.
4. Practice doing this type of breathing several times a day. At first it will take effort and concentration. With practice it will become second nature.
5. Use pursed lip breathing during times of stress or breathing difficulty.
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Other COPD related Topics:
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