How can I improve my breathing?

How can I improve my breathing?

Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccines, including flu vaccine and Pneumovax® (pneumonia vaccine). Your healthcare provider may recommend pulmonary therapy to help you breathe easier. Your therapy team will monitor your respiratory muscles to diagnose early signs of breathing trouble. The team can also provide breathing assistive devices, such as:

• In-Exsufflator, a machine that helps clear mucus from your lungs.
• Noninvasive ventilation.
• Suction machine to clear mouth and throat secretions.

Other ways to improve your breathing include:

• Avoid large meals since they can prevent your diaphragm from fully expanding.
• Don’t lie down right after eating.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• When you sleep, elevate your head with pillows, so your abdominal organs aren’t squeezed next to your diaphragm.