Discharge Instructions: Pursed-Lip Breathing
Pursed-lip breathing can help you get more oxygen into your lungs and prevent shortness of breath. When you start to feel short of breath, use pursed-lip breathing to control your breathing.
Home Care
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Use pursed-lip breathing to prevent shortness of breath when you do things such as
exercising, climbing stairs, and bending or lifting.
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Breathe out during the difficult part of any activity, such as when you bend, lift, or reach.
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Always breathe out for longer than you breathe in. This allows your lungs to empty as much as possible.
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Never hold your breath when doing pursed-lip breathing.
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Practice these steps every day so that you’ll know how to do pursed-lip breathing when you have shortness of breath.
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Relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders.
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Breathe in slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
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Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle.
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Breathe out slowly and gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.
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Repeat the above steps as necessary.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
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Shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing
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Increased mucus; yellow, green, or bloody mucus
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Fever above 101.0°F or chills
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Tightness in your chest that does not go away
with rest or medication
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An irregular heartbeat
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Swollen ankles
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Date Last Reviewed:
2/3/2006
Date Last Modified:
10/7/2004