Buteyko Breathing Exercises For Asthma

By Patricia | April 14, 2011
Buteyko Breathing For Asthma

Buteyko breathing exercises are a kind of breathing technique which was developed by Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko of Russia. These Buteyko breathing exercises are a simple and easy way to help relive the symptoms of respiratory problems like asthma. Buteyko breathing exercises are shallow breathing exercises and the main objective behind these Buteyko breathing exercises is to generate carbon dioxide. This generation of carbon dioxide is necessary as it helps smooth the muscles present in the respiratory system. Keep in mind that breathing is controlled by the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. When the level of carbon dioxide rises in your blood, you breathe. By breathing, you replace some of the carbon dioxide with oxygen and this oxygen then lowers the carbon dioxide back to normal. During an asthma attack, people breathe too quickly and therefore take in a larger amount of air than normal. This results in the carbon dioxide level falling lower than normal. The body reacts to this drop as the airways in the lungs narrow and the amount of air taken in during inhalation is less. This makes the asthmatic patient panic and he/she takes in even more air and the cycle starts again. The Buteyko breathing exercises aim to stop this vicious cycle.

Buteyko Breathing Therapy : Workout And Stretches

The Buteyko breathing exercises that are part of the Buteyko breathing workout are not very difficult to do. Anyone can learn how to do these exercises. A week or two is more than enough time to master this Buteyko breathing therapy. The Buteyko breathing exercises should be performed in the following way:-

  1. Start off by taking two normal breaths. Then breathe out and see how long you are able to hold your breath for. You should try to hold it for at least one minute. This is the first test and is known as the Control Pause Breathing test.
  2. The next step is shallow breathing. Keep your mouth closed and take shallow breaths. After doing this, repeat step 1 and see how long you can hold your breath for after this second step.
  3. Repeat the first and second steps given above about four or five times. This whole process should take about 25 minutes.
  4. Remember the main aim of the test is step 1, i.e., to control the breathing.
  5. Keep track of your progress by making a chart. It will help you to see how much you are succeeding each day.
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Articles
advertisement
Find Us On Facebook
Copyright © 2024 Mac Millan Interactive Communications, LLC Terms of Use | Sitemap
The material on this web site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
See additional information. Use of this site is subject to our terms of service and privacy policy.