August 2009 Archives

The human body can always benefit from some form of exercise and some exercise is better than none at all.

Whatever the ailment is in most cases exercise can be beneficial, even in cases of acute or chronic bronchitis management. It is always good to have your exercise approved by your doctor or health care professional before starting and it is also a good idea to have your progress monitored as well. The longer the exercise routine is performed the better the body conditioning will be.

By far one of the best exercises one can do especially if suffering from ailments of the lungs is breathing exercises which make the lungs work by increasing the lung capacity and oxygen intake of the body. Breathing exercises done correctly will gently expand and contract the tissue of the lungs giving them more elasticity. With the increase in oxygen the breathing becomes more beneficial and when you breathe better you feel better.

The combination of the muscle tissue surrounding the rib cage and a muscle referred to as your diaphragm are the muscles that are used to help you to breathe. the diaphragm is located under your lungs and above the abdomen. One of the best breathing exercises and one of the most common techniques is called diaphragmatic breathing which strengthens that region of the body for better breathing.

There are many causes that can impede the lungs from working correctly and at peak capacity. Things such as the quality of the air we breathe both out in the world and in our homes and offices as well. On the other hand there are also the diseases of the lungs such as asthma and bronchitis both acute and chronic. Emphysema and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can all make breathing a challenge.

If you have any of these conditions a person has to work harder to take in sufficient quantities of oxygen. In straining to breathe you can put potential stress on other muscles of the shoulders and neck. If the lungs are constantly tight the diaphragm works double time to aid in breathing. Learning how to breathe correctly in my opinion is one of the best things a person can do for themselves no matter what the condition.

THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING BREATHING EXERCISES ARE MANY

1. Increased oxygen supply
2. gentle expansion of lung tissue to aid in lung elasticity
3. strengthening of the diaphragm
4. With fluids can aid in loosening “old mucus” located deep in the lungs
5. increased concentration
6. increased blood flow to the entire body and brain
7. feel more alert
8. reduce stress ad tension that is deep seated in the body
9. some forms of deep breathing can illicit an emotional response
10. increased metabolism.
11. More oxygen and faster recovery time during physical exertion
12. increased energy

And the list can go on and on!

THE KINDS OF BREATHING EXERCISE YOU CAN LEARN TO DO

1. Controlled relaxed deep breathing
2. Upper lung breathing targeting the upper lung region
3. Lower lung breathing targeting the lower lung region
4. Diaphragmatic breathing or abdominal breathing
5. Alternate nostril breathing ( A yoga technique)

There are many forms of deep breathing exercise from many cultures and they all work and all can be beneficial to the body. Remember! It is always important to consult your doctor or health care professional before beginning a new exercise regimen or program.

Along with learning deep breathing exercise you might also want to consider a physical exercise routine as part of your lifestyle. Things such as walking, yoga, stretching, weights and of course tai chi which just so happens to rely on controlled breathing and slow movements do the body. Tai chi can raise metabolism and increase stamina as well as alertness. It can tone the muscles and quiet the mind. Tai chi improves balance and posture and is considered to relieve stress. Remember once again! before starting any exercise regimen or program please consult your doctor or health care professional and always remember to start out slow and build your way up and this way you can reduce the risk of injury.

This Article is educational in nature and is not to be construed as offering medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor or health care professional.

Filed under Bronchitis Help by #

As many of us with either acute or chronic bronchitis know it that bronchitis can generally be caused by an infection of some sort in the airways of the lungs. Like many colds, viruses, infections it begins in the nose and works it’s way toward the bronchial tubes. A lot of times these symptoms can be and are mistaken for a regular garden variety cold! And then BOOM! It is in your chest. Bronchitis self help can be attained when armed with the right knowledge and information, read on!

It happens more often amongst urbanites rather than people who live in more rural areas of the country ans supposedly more often in men than in women. People that have bronchitis or bronchitis like symptoms that persist should get checked out by a doctor or other health care professional for other conditions such as COPD ( chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema and TB (tuberculosis) just to be sure it is not more serious than bronchitis.

There are two types of bronchitis. The first is acute bronchitis which comes on after a cold or sore throat and can last a few weeks and then it goes away. In many cases it can be caught by a virus and has symptoms like a cold: the runny nose, the coughing, the wheezing and chills, muscle aches and pains and the customary fever. There is also the possibility that repeated occurrences of acute bronchitis can lead to the more serious form of bronchitis called chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is a serious malady which is ongoing and can last and impact the rest of one’s life. Things like environmental irritants at home or work or wherever like dust and gases as well as allergens can lend themselves to your bronchitis flair ups. Just remember that if your bronchitis is caused by certain irritants which are commonly referred to as “occupational bronchitis” bronchitis management would dictate that if you remove the irritants from the environment and you are not exposed to them any longer then the symptoms usually clear up.

There are some everyday vitamins and OTC (over the counter) items that can help when dealing with a condition such as bronchitis. Things like vitamin C, vitamin E and glucosamine, vitamin A, pantothenic acid, and various antioxidants as well as natural and/or homeopathic and herbal allergy aids. Vitamin C is referred to by many as the protective vitamin. The defender vitamin. Vitamin C helps guard against infection and pollution as it is an antioxidant. It is considered by many to help elevate and strengthen the bodies immune response.

Vitamin E is considered to be a protectant and tissue healer and helps boost immune response. Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory, so the less inflammation in the lungs can give relief of bronchial symptoms and make it easier to breathe. Antioxidants like vitamin A can aid in reducing the inflammation in the bronchial tubes and air passages. There are many antioxidant formulas available today each with it’s own respective qualities.

There are also many herbal and homeopathic allergy aids to help reduce and defend against respiratory allergens and your system that cause bronchial flair ups and help to open constricted airways to help you breathe easier. Bronchitis management can be achieved with some concentrated effort as some adjustments in our daily lives. With this effort and adjustment can come a better quality of life.

This article is educational in nature and is not to be construed as offering medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other health care professional before using this information.

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Filed under Bronchitis Help by #