Most major hospitals with Respiratory Medicine departments run a 6 to 8 week course for 3 hours a week to help people with respiratory problems. The course includes exercises that should be continued, talks on diet, drugs, psychological issues and other topics of interest and importance. The course is usually run by the Physiotherapy Department in associaton with other professionals. Your GP or hospital consultant will be able to give you more information about these courses run locally.
Relaxation techniques to relieve anxiety and stress can be very helpful. Occasionally of course sufferers do lose control of their breathing however much they try “mind over matter” and the only option is the nebuliser. However, often, by practising controlled breathing and relaxation, breathlessness caused by exertion, panic, anxiety or stress can be controlled. Your GP or practice nurse will be able to advise on this and it is usually dealt with in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation course.
