Collapsed Lung Alternative Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, a collapsed lung can result from an injury, lung disease, during or after a medical procedure involving the lung, or for no obvious reason.
Learning to breathe properly, and clear your airway, can help prevent a lung collapse in the future.

Symptoms

• Patients may experience sudden, sharp chest pain, shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate.

Treatment

• Your doctor may monitor your condition if less than 20 percent of the lung has collapsed, otherwise a needle or chest tube may be inserted into the space between the lungs and chest to release air.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Goals

• Our most efficient breathing muscle, the diaphragm, is located at the base of your lungs. Combining with the abdominal muscles, the diaphragm allows you to take deep breaths to clear your lungs, but pulmonary diseases can keep the diaphragm from working efficiently.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Techniques

• The goal of diaphragmatic breathing is to make the diaphragm stronger and to slow the breathing rate so less work is required to breathe.

  Lie comfortably on your back on any flat surface or on your bed, with both knees bent and your head comfortably supported. If you prefer, you can use a pillow under your knees for leg support. Place one hand on the upper chest, and let the other hand rest just below the rib cage. This allows you to monitor how your diaphragm moves as you breathe.

  While keeping your hand on your chest as still as you can, slowly breathe through your nose, so that your stomach pushes against your other hand.

  Continuing to keep the hand on your chest as still as possible, tighten the stomach muscles. Observe the way the stomach muscles fall inward, as your exhale using the diaphragmatic breathing technique.

Pursed Lip Breathing

• Pursed lip breathing effectively controls shortness of breath by slowing your breathing pace; making each breath you take more effective. These breathing techniques are useful during difficult parts of more strenuous activities such as bending, lifting, or climbing stairs.

  With your shoulder and neck muscles relaxed, slowly breathe in through your nose and mentally count to two, keeping your mouth closed.

  Pucker your lips like you're going to whistle. Exhale slowly and gently through pursed lips, and mentally count to four.

  Practice this technique daily and pursed lip breathing will soon become a habit.

Controlled Coughing Techniques

• Coughing doesn't always clear excess mucus from the lungs, and uncontrolled coughing can cause mucus to be trapped by a collapsed airway or spasm.

  Sit in a comfortable chair, or the edge of your bed, resting both feet on the floor. Leaning forward slightly, fold your arms across the abdomen, and slowly breathe in through your nose.

  To exhale, lean forward again, pressing both arms against your abdomen. With a slightly open mouth, cough sharply two to three times, with each cough lasting only a short time.

  To prevent mucus from blocking the airway again, breathe in by "sniffing" in a slow, gentle manner through your nose.

  Rest and repeat.