Breathing is something most of us take for granted – after all, it happens without any thought at all.
However sometimes the natural rhythm of our breathing can become disrupted. This is known as a breathing pattern disorder (BPD).
Breathing Pattern Re-education
Do you have a breathing pattern disorder?
Some of the common signs include:
Difficulty taking a satisfying breath in
Frequent sighing and yawning
Tight chest
Palpitations (noticeable heartbeats) *
Weakness or fatigue
Achy muscles and joints
Chest pains *
Dry throat and/or cough
Cramps, twitches or tremors *
Panic attacks
Dizziness or fainting *
Pins and needles in fingers and toes
Feeling anxious
Disturbed sleep
Tired all the time
*please check with a doctor if you experience these symptoms
Do you have a breathing pattern disorder?
Some of the common signs include:
Difficulty taking a satisfying breath in
Frequent sighing and yawning
Tight chest
Palpitations (noticeable heartbeats) *
Weakness or fatigue
Achy muscles and joints
Chest pains *
Dry throat and/or cough
Cramps, twitches or tremors *
Panic attacks
Dizziness or fainting *
Pins and needles in fingers and toes
Feeling anxious
Disturbed sleep
Tired all the time
*please check with a doctor if you experience these symptoms
How do we breathe?
When we are exposed to situations such as exercise, stress, anxiety, upset and illness, our body will naturally respond by altering the way we breathe. For example, we will breathe harder and faster if we are panicked, we will use the upper chest and breathe through our mouth if we are sprinting, and we may gasp or take small, rapid breaths when we cry. However these changes in the breathing pattern should return to normal once the situation has passed.
What happens in a breathing pattern disorder?
In a breathing pattern disorder, the pattern of breathing does not return to normal. People will tend to breathe more from the upper part of their chest rather than using their lower chest, mouth breathe rather than nose breathe, and breaths may be too fast or too large. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms and means you may experience breathlessness which is disproportionate to what you are doing.
How can it be fixed?
At Air Physiotherapy, we are specialists in helping identify and treat breathing pattern disorders. We can help ease your troublesome symptoms and get you back on track to breathing better.
If you have been diagnosed with or think you might have a breathing pattern disorder, book your first appointment today.
