Sunday 22 April 2012

Breathlessness and oxygen

Dr Banks talked at length about feelings of breathlessness and low oxygen levels, and how although the two seem to be related, actually they are two different things. Some people with COPD can be extremely breathless but have relatively high oxygen levels, while others experience sudden drops in oxygen when they exercise and become breathless. Why is this ? It's one if the worlds great mysteries.
The only thing we do know is that the exercises and breathing techniques we learn in pulmonary rehab do make a huge difference. Keeping muscles fit reduces the demand for oxygen when we exercise and knowledge of breathing techniques helps us recover quickly once we become breathless.
Our inhalers help by keeping the airways open, the rest is down to us to practise the lessons we have learned.

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