Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition affecting over 7 million people in the UK population. It is a reversible condition
that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulties in breathing. It can affect anyone, and while often diagnosed in childhood, asthma can develop at any age.
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There are many common triggers of asthma, including allergens, pollution, Exercise Induced Bronchospasm, (EIB), and stress.
Women are more affected than men both in numbers and severity and this may be linked to hormonal differences (Women’s Health).
Symptoms may change over time, disappear, and even return later.
Proper management of Asthma is key and includes medication, lifestyle adjustments, and avoiding triggers to help control symptoms. Many elite athletes have asthma and manage it effectively.
One effective way to manage asthma is through proper functional breathing.
Functional breathing is using your nose and breathing lightly, slowly, and diaphragmatically.
In contrast, asthmatics tend to breathe through their mouth using their upper chest and at a faster rate.
For an Asthmatic, over time, this becomes a normal way to breathe, and a breathing pattern disorder (BPD) is established, which can reinforce the symptoms they suffer.
Functional Breathing Exercises can help re-educate normal breathing patterns, improving symptom management and even reducing the need and reliance on medications.
The Buteyko Breathing Method (BBM) has been around for 70 years and uses a set of exercises that involve using the nose, breath holds, and diaphragmatic breathing to improve breathing volume and balance CO2 and O2 levels in the body.
It is a complementary adjunct to the management of asthma that has seen great success. 'The Buteyko Breathing Method provides life-changing relief to thousands with conditions that negatively affect their everyday lives’. ( Buteyko Clinic International).
If you would like to learn more about these exercises, please contact us using this link.
Other information you may find useful
What is functional breathing?
Do you have a breathing pattern disorder?’