Treatment of Breathing Pattern Disorders
Breathing retraining : Learn to Breathe Less
- Teach the patient to recognise how they are breathing at the moment.
- To understand the connection between bad breathing habits and symptoms.
- Re educate breathing pattern. Relaxed breathing at a normal rate and depth, relaxing upper chest. Slow smooth breathing via nose using diaphragm.
- Raise resting pCO2 (carbon dioxide level) by breathing less deeply and more slowly.
- Learn to cope with acute attacks of hyperventilation or panic by identifying triggers. Use good positioning. Use the wait, count, recover method.
- Consider altering other lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep hygiene and relaxation.
Refer to a respiratory physiotherapist for breathing retraining and clinical psychologist to manage anxiety and stress.
