Why am I having sudden breathlessness?
Having COPD, you can find yourself having sudden breathlessness during your day-to-day activities. This happens when you body needs more oxygen then what you are already breathing, as it takes longer for you to empty your lungs since your airflow is slower. This can make breathing uncomfortable and can lead to an unexpected shortness os breath, rising your stress levels as a consequence.
Make sure you talk about your sudden breathlessness with your healthcare provider, to help you determining the cause of your symptoms and giving you the appropriate medicine.
In this information module, you will have 3 main parts with concrete tips on how to manage a sudden shortness of breath that can happen in public.
1 – Techniques to lower stress
- Keep in mind that your shortness of breath will pass and won’t cause you any potential physical harm. Instead, try to keep a positive mindset and focus on your breathing.
- If needed, write down your worries. Don’t hesitate to talk to someone, for example by calling a family member or a friend to reassure you.
- Use the 5 senses technique for anxiety, so that you shift your focus away from your stress. This technique consists to name :
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can touch
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
2 – Use positioning techniques
- Stand or sit, if you have a chair or bench close to you, leaning forward.
- Stand leaning against a wall, with knees slightly bend and loosen up your arms.
3 – Use correct breathing techniques
- The pursed lip technique :
- Step 1 : breathe in gently through your nose.
- Step 2 : Purse your lips as if you wanted to blow out a candle or whistle.
- Step 3 : Exhale slowly, only for as long as it is comfortable.
- The rectangle breathing technique : breath in for 2 seconds and breath out for 3 seconds. Tip : you can look at any object shaped as a rectangle, such as your phone or a book.
For these two techniques, you can close your eyes to focus on your breathing.
- Use a hand-held fan, open any window near you or simply go outside to get a breeze of fresh air.