Physical exercises for asthma.

Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physical exercises for asthma. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    at the first sign of an impending attack, in order to prevent the asthma coming on ; many patients are able to abort their attacks entirely by doing the simple exercises gently. Ss Should the patient be in a condition of slight, but continuous, short- iess of breath, it is advisable to take a dose of whatever remedy he finds suits him best before beginning the exercises, e.g. an ephedrine or caffeine itrate tablet, the use of an atomizer, or a small injection of adrenaline. When properly performed, the exercises may cause “ wheezing ”’ und coughing at the end of expiration. This may distress the patient und at the beginning of treatment it is a common complaint that the xercises make him feel worse. With perseverance, however, the mucus n the bronchial tubes becomes loosened and the patient is able to cough it ap, with consequent relief of the attack. Learning to acquire natural liaphragmatic breathing is like learning to ride a bicycle—difficult and uncomfortable at first until the knack is acquired, when it becomes second nature. Having learnt the proper way to breathe, many patients can prevent an attack progressing by doing the exercises. They feel they have a method of relief in their own hands and lose their fear of attacks, thus acquiring confidence—a most important matter for every asthmatic. It is essential that the patient should be shown how to do the exercises correctly by a physio-therapist specially trained in them, and every case requires individual attention until the exercises are mastered correctly. MeseENTIAL POINTS IN THE PERFORMANCE ny Pree. (EER CESS 1. Before beginning the exercises, the patient should blow the nose on a handkerchief to ensure a clear air-way. 2. As the object of the exercises is to empty the lungs, each exercise should begin with a quiet breathe-in through the nose, taking a small breath only, followed by a dong breathe-out through the mouth, making an F or S sound with the lips and teeth. This noise fixes the patient’s attention on blowing out as long as possible and enables the physio- therapist to hear that the patient is doing this. Children can be taught to blow bits of cotton-wool, ping-pong balls, etc., when breathing out through the mouth in a way they cannot do when breathing out through the nose,
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