You must be wondering why is it necessary to maintain bronchial hygiene, first let us understand the meaning of the term “bronchial”. It has been derived from the word, “bronchus”; Bronchi are the major air channels in the lungs, including those that travel from the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs and those within the lungs. Bronchial hygiene is also known as pulmonary hygiene.
Exercises and procedures that help to clear your airways of mucus and other secretions are referred to as pulmonary hygiene, formerly known as a pulmonary toilet. This ensures that your lungs receive adequate oxygen and that your respiratory system functions properly.
Inhale slowly and deeply. Allow it to escape now. It’s possible that you’ve already noticed a change in your mood. Breathing exercises might help you relax and feel less stressed. If you incorporate some easy breathing exercises into your daily routine, they can have a tremendous impact.
Keep these pointers in mind before you begin:
- Select a location for your breathing workout. It might be in your bed, on the floor of your living room, or in a cozy recliner.
- Don’t try to force it. You may become more stressed as a result of this.
- Once or twice a day, try to do it at the same time.
- Make sure you’re dressed comfortably.
- Many breathing exercises only take a few minutes to complete. If you have more time, you can do them for 10 minutes or longer to get even more benefits.
Bronchial hygiene can be used as part of a therapy strategy for any condition that impairs your ability to breathe, such as:
- COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- asthma
- cystic fibrosis bronchitis
- pneumonia
- emphysema
- muscular dystrophy is a type of muscular dystrophy.
- Bronchial hygiene can be done in a variety of ways. Some of them can be completed at home, while others will necessitate a visit to your healthcare provider.
Continue reading to discover more about some of the most frequent bronchial hygiene techniques and how to make the most of them.
BREATHING EXERCISE
1] Deep Breathing Exercise
The majority of people take shallow, short breaths into their chest. It can drain your energy and make you feel anxious. You’ll learn how to take deeper breaths that go all the way into your belly using this technique.
- Relax and unwind. You can lie on your back in bed or on the floor with a pillow between your knees and a pillow under your head. Alternatively, you can sit on a chair with the back of your chair supporting your shoulders, head, and neck.
- Inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale deeply through your mouth. Allow air to fill your belly.
- Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale deeply through your mouth.
- Put one hand on your stomach and the other on your back. Your other hand should be placed on your chest.
- Feel your tummy lift as you take in a deep breath. Feel your belly go smaller as you exhale. Your belly button should move more than your chest.
- Three more deep, complete breaths are required. As your tummy rises and falls with your breath, breathe fully into it.
2] Focused breathing
Use a mental image and a word or phrase to assist you to feel calmer while doing deep breathing.
- If your eyes are open, close them.
- Take a few deep breaths and exhale slowly.
- Inhale deeply. Imagine that the air is filled with a sense of peace and quiet while you do so. Try to sense it all over your body.
- Take a deep breath out. Imagine the air leaving with your worry and tension while you’re doing it.
- Now, with your breath, say a word or phrase. “I breathe in serenity and quiet,” repeat in your thoughts as you inhale.
- “I breathe out stress and anxiety,” repeat in your thoughts as you exhale.
- Keep going for another 10 to 20 minutes.
3] Breathing in and out takes the same amount of time
In this workout, you’ll match the length of your inhale with the length of your exhale. With practice, you’ll be able to breathe in and out for longer periods of time.
- Sit on the floor or on a chair that is comfortable for you.
- Inhale deeply through your nose. Count to five while you do it.
- To the count of five, exhale through your nose.
- Rep the process numerous times.
- Increase the length of your breaths in and out once you’re comfortable with five-count breaths. You can gradually increase the length of your breaths to up to ten counts.
4] Muscle Relaxation That Gets Better Over Time
You breathe in as you tighten a muscle group and out as you release it in this approach. Progressive muscular relaxation aids physical and mental calm.
- Lie down on the floor in a comfortable position.
- Relax by taking a few deep breaths.
- Inhale deeply. The muscles in your feet should be tense.
- Take a deep breath out. Relax the muscles in your feet.
- Inhale deeply. Calf muscles should be tense.
- Take a deep breath out. Tension in your calves should be released.
- Working your way up your body is a good idea. Tense each muscle group separately. Legs, belly, chest, fingers, arms, shoulders, neck, and face are all included.
5] Lion’s Breath with a Twist
Pretend you’re a lion as you complete this activity. Using a large, open mouth, exhale completely.
- Imagine yourself like a lion while you go through this exercise. With a broad, open mouth, let all of your breath out.
- Sit on the floor or on a chair that is comfortable for you.
- Inhale deeply through your nose. Fill your stomach with air all the way to the top.
- When you can’t take any more breaths, open your mouth as wide as possible. Make a “HA” sound as you exhale.
- Rep the process numerous times.
6] Spirometry
Spirometry is indicated for persons who are recovering from surgery or who have a respiratory problem like pneumonia. It’s usually possible to do it at home while sitting in a chair or lying on the edge of your bed.
An incentive spirometer is used in this approach to strengthen and control your breathing. It’s a hollow, clear cylinder with a flexible tube attached. A mouthpiece is located at the other end of the tube, via which you will exhale and inhale.
A small ball or other indication moves up and down inside the spirometer when you breathe, indicating how much you can exhale. A gauge is also included in the device to track how slowly you exhale. Your healthcare provider will show you how to correctly utilize the gadget.
The steps are as follows in general:
- In your hand, hold the incentive spirometer.
- Wrap your lips securely around the mouthpiece and place it in your mouth.
- Slowly and deeply inhale.
- Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can.
- Slowly exhale.
7] Percussion
Percussion, often known as cupping or clapping, is a sort of pulmonary hygiene technique that you may normally do at home with the help of someone else. You’ll also want to acquire clear instructions on what to do from your healthcare provider beforehand.
Percussion is typically performed by beating the chest or back with cupped hands, ensuring that both lungs are covered. This repetitive touch aids in the breakdown of viscous pulmonary secretions.
This may not be the greatest pulmonary hygiene strategy for you if you’re elderly or have had heart difficulties or rib injuries.
8] Vibration
Percussion is related to vibration. The palms, instead of being cupped, are flatter.
One arm is kept straight and the palm of that hand is placed on your chest or back by the individual doing the treatment. They’ll put their other hand on top and move it quickly from side to side to make a vibration.
This approach aids in the loosening of pulmonary secretions.
9] Suctioning
Suctioning is done with the help of a suction catheter, which is a thin, flexible tube. The catheter is connected to a device that pulls air through the tube at one end. To eliminate secretions, the other end is inserted into your airway.
This is unpleasant, but it only takes 10 to 15 seconds to complete. You’ll have a break between each session if you need more than one at a time. After each procedure, the catheter is normally removed and discarded.
10] Postural drainage
Gravity is used to assist you to clean your airways with postural drainage. It’s especially useful in the morning to get rid of any fluids that have accumulated overnight. It’s sometimes used in conjunction with other pulmonary hygiene techniques like breathing exercises or vibration.
Depending on the location that needs to be cleared, you can employ a variety of positions to perform postural drainage.
Lying on your back with pillows beneath your hips, for example, can assist discharge secretions from your lower lungs.
TAKEAWAY
When done properly, bronchial hygiene methods are generally safe, though they can be a little uncomfortable at times.
If you want to try a bronchial hygiene method at home, make sure your healthcare provider shows you exactly how to do it first. This will help to ensure that the method you’re using is as safe and effective as possible. It might help to bring a close friend or family member with you to the appointment so they can learn how to help.
Bronchial hygiene can be a useful part of your treatment plan, but make sure to keep up with any other treatments prescribed by your healthcare provider.
When done properly, bronchial hygiene methods are generally safe, though they can be a little uncomfortable at times.
If you want to try a bronchial hygiene method at home, make sure your healthcare provider shows you exactly how to do it first. This will help to ensure that the method you’re using is as safe and effective as possible. It might help to bring a close friend or family member with you to the appointment so they can learn how to help.
Bronchial hygiene can be a useful part of your treatment plan, but make sure to keep up with any other treatments prescribed by your healthcare provider.
If you have respiratory problems, bronchial hygiene can be beneficial. It’s possible that you’ll have to test a few different approaches to figure out which ones work best for you. If you’re unsure about a pulmonary hygiene method, seek guidance from your healthcare professional.
