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Mysterious shortness of breath: What has helped you?
Lung Health | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (3422)Comment receiving replies
@ sussistrikesmichelle thank you for sharing your experience. Have you tried breath holding techniques to see if that helps? That’s part of the Buteyko breathing method that I’m sure you read about but curious if you tried it. That method is what helps me the most. They teach a rescue exercise where you hold your breath while taking steps or hold your breath while sitting still for as long as you can, and you repeat this a few times. It helps build up the CO2 and calms the breathing. I don’t think it would hurt to try.
It sounds like there are some issues that may be contributing to the air hunger such as inflamed lungs. Have you tried and anti inflammatory diet?
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Hi Gabe, thanks so much for your comment. It actually made a big difference. I looked up a few videos of Buteyko breathing when I was struggling severely and it felt horrible at first... like I was drowning, but after insisting on it for a few days, it worked. It is not resolved all the way, I still sigh but now most of the time it goes in and I don't use my mouth. I haven't figured out how to do this method while exercising or walking but I hope to get there. Overall, just feeling scared of celebrating a victory yet but hopeful enough to have found a relief/coping mechanism.
And yeah... I followed an anti inflammatory diet for a couple years very rigidly e.g. potatoes, goat cheese, bison, all cooked fresh, no leftovers, no raw veggies, etc. It didn't help which was frustrating. I am curious about why the inflamed lungs myself but wonder if it's related to allergies.