What is Pursed Lip Breathing

Pursed lip breathing is a technique to relieve the feeling of being short of breath. Some long-term respiratory conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma, can make it hard to breathe out (exhale) all of the air in your lungs.

This can make air that has less oxygen than normal build up in your lungs (air trapping). Trapped air means your lungs fill with less fresh air when you breathe in (inhale). As a result, you feel short of breath.

Pursed lip breathing keeps your airways open longer when you exhale and empties more air from your lungs. This makes more space for fresh air when you inhale.

Pursed lip breathing can also slow down your breathing and help your body not have to work so hard to breathe. Over time, pursed lip breathing may help you be able to be more physically active and do more activities.

How to perform pursed lip breathing

Being short of breath can make you tense and anxious. Before you start this breathing exercise, take a minute to relax your shoulders and close your eyes. Then:

1. Start the exercise by closing your mouth.
2. Breathe in through your nose, taking a normal breath. You can do this at your normal rate of breathing. If you feel you are not getting enough air, breathe in while slowly counting to 2 or 3.
3. Pucker (purse) your lips as if you were going to whistle.
4. Gently tighten your abdomen muscles or press on your belly to help push the air out.
5. Breathe out slowly through your pursed lips. Take at least twice as long to breathe out as it takes you to breathe in.
6. Make sure that you breathe out all of the air, but do not force air out.
7. Repeat the exercise until your breathing improves. Ask your health care provider how often and how long to do this exercise.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your shortness of breath gets worse.
• You become less able to exercise or be active.
• You develop a cough.
• You develop a fever.

Get help right away if:

• You are struggling to breathe.
• Your shortness of breath prevents you from engaging in any activity.

Summary

• Pursed lip breathing is a breathing technique that helps to remove trapped air from your lungs. It helps you get more oxygen into your lungs and makes your body have to work less hard to breathe.
• Pursed lip breathing can gradually make you more able to be physically active.
• You can do pursed lip breathing on your own at home.
• Ask your health care provider how often and how long you should do pursed lip breathing.