|
  |
|
|
Smiling Improves Breathlessness in COPD Patients
By Dr. James Chappell of www.jameschappell.com
People with COPD – bronchitis and emphysema – find it more difficult to exhale than to inhale. This results in a build up of air in their lungs, known as “air-trapping” or dynamic hyperinflation, so less air is exchanged with each breath. This creates the uncomfortable experience of breathlessness and causes COPD sufferers to be less active than people without the disease. Breathing through pursed lips is one of the few self-help techniques that can reduce air-trapping and associated breathlessness. According to a study published in the International Journal of COPD in 2008, it is possible that a new, fun way has been discovered to reduce air-trapping and breathlessness. Subjects with severe COPD were exposed to a “laughter intervention” delivered by Pello, a clown who triggered regular laughter. Laughter and smiling were quantified and it was found that smiling induced by humor reduced hyperinflation in patients with severe COPD. So smiling induced by humor has the possibility of complimenting pursed-lip breathing as a way for people with COPD to feel better, and not just emotionally, but physiologically, right at the core of what produces one of the most troublesome symptoms of the disease. It could be fun!
|
|
 |
|
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Smiling Improves Breathlessness in COPD Patients" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
|
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
