How to Improve Your Breathing While Suffering From Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to information from the Mayo Clinic. Lung cancer causes a number of unpleasant symptoms, including persistent coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and headache. The feeling of suffocation that can arise from these symptoms can be rather frightening, but you can take steps to remedy the situation through the regular practice of breathing exercises.

Instructions

Breathing Exercises for Lung Cancer

• 1

  Perform lung cancer breathing exercises while leaning against a wall for support or sitting in a comfortable position. To begin the exercise, bend your head forward so that your chin is touching your chest, which should act to relax the muscles of your neck. After your neck relaxes, breathe through your mouth for 10 complete breaths. These breaths should be rather short in duration, somewhat like huffing. As you exhale with each breath, concentrate on further relaxing the muscles throughout your chest and neck.

• 2

  Maintain contact between your chin and your chest. Wait until your breathing relaxes, then take three long, slow breaths into your nose, exhaling through your mouth. The pace of these breaths should be relatively even--you should spend an equal amount of time inhaling as you do exhaling. Following this, take four more long, deep breaths through your nose only. When finished, raise your head back to neutral position, actively relax your shoulders, and return your breathing to normal.

• 3

  Repeat this exercise as often as needed to relax your body when you notice that your breathing is becoming impaired. At the very least, you should strive to practice the exercise in the morning and again at night, as it can help you start the day with a fresh and positive attitude along with helping you to relax before bed in the evening.