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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 13 October 2014

Asthmatic Sanjeev S from Ahmedabad, India, used to sleep with an oxygen cylinder next to his bed during his school days. But, no longer. He shares his challenges and triumphs, and the three exercises that help him breathe better. 

I’ve been asthmatic since a young age. The asthma attack continues on a low level all through the year, but flares up when certain triggers are present. For example, smoke, smells, dust, certain foods like maize (corn) and yoghurt etc. Change of weather is the one major trigger I can do nothing about. I keep off the known allergy causing foods, avoid after-shaves, shaving cream and scented soaps. But I cannot avoid vehicular pollution and dust. Ahmedabad is not very far away (as the crow flies) from the Desert of Kutch and is consequently a fairly dusty city.

Over the years I have identified and adopted a few strategies to overcome the problems and get rid of the oxygen cylinder that was always at my bedside through my school days.

The biggest, of course, is positive attitude. Fortunately, I have always been treated equal to my peers, both at home and at school. So I did not get a negative mindset. This was very, very crucial. The bullying in school taught me to stand up for myself, so that even if I felt I had a problem, no one else did. 

Today, I regard my breathing issue an irritant, not a problem. I love the mountains and I have gone up as far as 14,000 feet and would like to exceed that. Of course, full precautions were taken and no silly risks.

The 3 exercises described below, I learnt only a few years ago, but they have made a positive impact. Even the effect of the weather changes are less intense.

Apart from some yoga related breathing exercises, the following 3 exercises help me greatly:

1) Climbing Stairs: One flight up, one flight down, for maximum of 7 minutes at a time or till I feel uneasy. This has helped me improve my stamina as well as delaying breathlessness (when doing an activity that will eventually cause breathlessness).

2) Use of an Incentive Spirometer: I use a 2500ml Spirometer. Earlier, I could barely get the piston to clear 1500 ml. But now 2500ml is easily achievable when I do not have an attack. I use it not only as recommended (slow deep breaths) but also rapid inhale, though the doctor does not recommend it. See what it looks like here: http://www.medical-supplies-equipment-company.com/files/media/images/Incentive-Spirometer-2500-1.jpeg

3) The “Bubble” exercises: This is an exhalation exercise involving exhaling as slowly as possible into a thin straw dipped in a tall glass 3⁄4th full of water. As one exhales, the exhaled air comes out in a stream of bubbles. The depth of the water in the glass regulates the pressure needed to exhale. I started out with a quarter glassful and have progressed to three-quarters.

This exercise has helped me control my normal breathing. My exhalation time when doing this exercise has increased from 12 seconds to almost 45 seconds. It is imperative that no undue stress must be taken for exhalation. Exhalation time can be increased very gradually and without stress (it is better to consult one's doctor before trying this). Apart from easier breathing, this exercise also stimulates mucous in the lungs to come out. Slowly done, it also relaxes my mind.

Please speak to your doctor before trying the exercises.

Other Personal Voices on Asthma

Take Asthma seriously and treat it quickly

Recognize Asthma triggers and follow treatment

Breathing Easy - After childhood asthma re-surfaces 

 

 

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