COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
9 Ways to Manage Panic Attacks in COPD
Panic Attacks Place People With COPD At Risk
COPD is associated with high levels of anxiety that can negatively impact your quality of life. As anxiety builds, it may contribute to severe breathlessness and even panic.
Panic attacks are defined as sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by several physical symptoms. While many people get panic attacks, people with COPD seem to be especially prone to them.
Symptoms of panic attacks include:
sweating
heart palpitations
trembling or shaking
severe shortness of breath and/or feelings of being smothered
chest pain, tightness or discomfort
fear of dying
dizziness, lightheadedness
numbness and tingling in the extremities
hot flashes
chills
Let's take a look at how you may be able to diffuse a panic attack when you feel one coming on:
1. Performing Breathing Exercises
Often described as "taking your breath away," a panic attack may cause you to feel like you are suffocating, hyperventilating or choking.
That's why it is extremely important that when you recognize the sensation of panic, you begin to focus on your breathing. If you can control your breathing during a panic attack, you can usually get through it in a relatively short period of time.
Start with the following technique:
1. While relaxing your shoulders, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. When you inhale, your abdomen should expand outward and you should feel very little expansion of your chest. This is known as diaphragmatic breathing.
2. While keeping your jaw relaxed, purse your lips like you are going to blow out a candle. With pursed lips, breathe out slowly through your mouth. This is known as pursed-lip breathing.
3. Repeat this breathing exercise until you feel yourself becoming more calm.
Remember, in order to have better control over your breathing, it is important that you practice breathing exercises on a regular basis. Listed below are several techniques for you to choose from:
Breathing Exercises for COPD, go to this site:
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/a/breathtechnique.htm
Breathing Exercises for Stress Relief, go to this site:
http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/Breathing_Ex.htm
10 Tips for Better Breathing with COPD, go to this site:
http://copd.about.com/od/breathingtechniques/tp/10-Tips-For-Better-Breathing-With-Copd.htm
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcop1/tp/Panic-Attacks-And-Copd.htm?nl=1
We all experience some sort of panic when we cant catch our breath, I know I do.
When I saw this information, I thought it would be very helpful for me and others here.
Easy breathing to each of you,
Love Holly
Panic Attacks Place People With COPD At Risk
COPD is associated with high levels of anxiety that can negatively impact your quality of life. As anxiety builds, it may contribute to severe breathlessness and even panic.
Panic attacks are defined as sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by several physical symptoms. While many people get panic attacks, people with COPD seem to be especially prone to them.
Symptoms of panic attacks include:
sweating
heart palpitations
trembling or shaking
severe shortness of breath and/or feelings of being smothered
chest pain, tightness or discomfort
fear of dying
dizziness, lightheadedness
numbness and tingling in the extremities
hot flashes
chills
Let's take a look at how you may be able to diffuse a panic attack when you feel one coming on:
1. Performing Breathing Exercises
Often described as "taking your breath away," a panic attack may cause you to feel like you are suffocating, hyperventilating or choking.
That's why it is extremely important that when you recognize the sensation of panic, you begin to focus on your breathing. If you can control your breathing during a panic attack, you can usually get through it in a relatively short period of time.
Start with the following technique:
1. While relaxing your shoulders, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. When you inhale, your abdomen should expand outward and you should feel very little expansion of your chest. This is known as diaphragmatic breathing.
2. While keeping your jaw relaxed, purse your lips like you are going to blow out a candle. With pursed lips, breathe out slowly through your mouth. This is known as pursed-lip breathing.
3. Repeat this breathing exercise until you feel yourself becoming more calm.
Remember, in order to have better control over your breathing, it is important that you practice breathing exercises on a regular basis. Listed below are several techniques for you to choose from:
Breathing Exercises for COPD, go to this site:
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcopd/a/breathtechnique.htm
Breathing Exercises for Stress Relief, go to this site:
http://stress.about.com/od/tensiontamers/a/Breathing_Ex.htm
10 Tips for Better Breathing with COPD, go to this site:
http://copd.about.com/od/breathingtechniques/tp/10-Tips-For-Better-Breathing-With-Copd.htm
http://copd.about.com/od/livingwithcop1/tp/Panic-Attacks-And-Copd.htm?nl=1
We all experience some sort of panic when we cant catch our breath, I know I do.
When I saw this information, I thought it would be very helpful for me and others here.
Easy breathing to each of you,
Love Holly
Hugs,
Dennis
ty
Has anyone else tried using antacid to lessen effects of sob? I don't know if its coincidence or is actually helping.
Exercise helps me too but, silly me, my exercise equipment is in the garage and that is fine most of the year in the south, but right now it is too cold here to use it! I'm doing stretching and stair walking instead today.
Hugs, Cindy
the pursed lip only works for me if i'm exercising and i start out with it & pace myself not to get gasping.
smoked12many= i too have taken tums or prilosec as when my acid reflux acts up it seems to help....lately tho it wasn't and i found that for "gas" i need gas-x and that helps me.
my theory (i have lots of theories :)=when i get bloated i think it fills up my tummy with the gas so i don't use my diaphram for correct breathing & start using just lung breathing to eliminate the gas or the heartburn. getting rid of the pressure of the gas or heartburn i start breathing with my diaphram again.
God bless