Shortness of breath, dyspnea (disp-nee-ah), is common for people with lung cancer.
Dyspnea also called "air hunger" causes difficulty in breathing. It can make you feel as if you can't get enough air into your lungs. It is a scary sensation. Many people who have dyspnea say it feels as if they are suffocating.
Episodes of dyspnea can easily begin a vicious cycle of breathlessness. This leads to feelings of panic, creating a greater sense of breathlessness. Panic begins because you feel as if you can't get enough air. As your anxiety level increases, you consume more oxygen. This in turn worsens the sensations of dyspnea. It is crucial to break this cycle as soon as you can.
Here are some ways to help provide quick relief from some of the discomfort of dyspnea:
Controlled Breathing:
Pursed lip breathing is a very effective technique. It will help you feel as if you are getting enough air. Purse your lips by pretending that you are going to be kissing someone; in other words, pucker-up.
Start by taking a normal breath, counting the seconds it takes you to inhale through your nose.
Exhale, through pursed lips, for twice the number of seconds as you inhaled.
Try to make a slight whistling noise as you exhale. For example, if you inhaled for three seconds, exhale for six seconds.
Don't force the air out; just breathe out in a controlled manner, through your lips.
Abdominal Breathing:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent or place a pillow under your knees
- Put one hand on your upper chest
- Place the other in the center of your abdomen, at the base of your breastbone
- Exhale slowly through pursed lips, squeezing your abdominal muscles upward and inward
- You will feel your abdomen pressing towards the floor. As you inhale through your nose, you will feel your abdomen expand
Relaxation:
Because tense muscles use oxygen faster than relaxed muscles, it is important to try and stay relaxed.
To relax your shoulders and arms:
- Rotate your shoulders in a circle a few times, or shrug them up and down.
- Practice relaxing your shoulders and arms throughout the day.
- Try to be aware of times when you are tense so that you can relax before you become short of breath.
- Try the following visualization techniques to relax:
1. Find a comfortable position and take a few controlled breaths.
2. Begin to imagine a setting that relaxes and calms you--the setting can be anywhere or anything from watching the waves at the beach to relaxing in your bed at home.
3. Stay focused on the setting, breathe, and relax your body.
- Feel the tension leave your body.
There are many books and tapes about visualization on the market today. You may want to check your local library for one that will work for you.
Changing the Position of your Body:
- Sit in a chair with your feet spread about shoulder width apart
- Lean forward and place your elbows on your knees
- Think about relaxing your hands, arms, and shoulders
- If you are experiencing an especially bad bout of breathlessness, sit down in a chair next to a small table. You may want to keep a few pillows by the table for times when you do become short of breath
- Place a few pillows on the table
- Fold your arms, place them on the pillows and relax onto the pillows
- Concentrate on relaxing your shoulders and arms
- Stay in this position until you feel your breathing slow down
If you experience dyspnea while walking, stop. Lean your back against a wall or tree with your feet about shoulder width apart. Slump your shoulders forward and relax your arms.
Supplemental Oxygen and Medications:
For some people supplemental oxygen may be helpful in dealing with dyspnea. Your physician can determine whether this option will benefit you.
Medications may also be useful in dealing with dyspnea. Morphine (not being used for pain but for breathing), steroids, and anti-anxiety medications may be helpful for some people. If the techniques described earlier aren't helpful you may want to explore these other approaches with your doctor.
These techniques should help you breathe easier as you go about your daily routine. For more information about these and other tips for living with lung disease you may want to read Shortness of Breath: A Guide to Better Living and Breathing, by Andrew Ries, MD, et al.
