Physiotherapy tips for effortless breathing in Asthmatic Bronchitis

What is Asthmatic Bronchitis?

It is an acute condition commonly seen in patients of asthma as a result of inflammation of the lining of the airways. Approximately 95% of acute bronchitis in healthy adults are secondary to viruses.

There are many triggers which can initiate this inflammatory response, such as-

• Smoking
• Allergy of certain materials such as pollen, certain pollutants, dust, mold or animal dander.
• Weather changes
• Viral or bacterial conditions.
• Occupational as woodwork, chemicals

What are the common symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis ?

It is a respiratory disease which causes inflammation in the bronchi, through which the air moves in and out the lungs. The symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the condition.

• Stuffiness in the lungs
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Cough with Expectoration
• Anxiety

How can a physiotherapist help you?

The aim of the physiotherapist is to reduce the impact of asthmatic bronchitis on quality of life, symptomatic relief and reduce the risk of future side effects.

There are various techniques which the therapist uses in improving the breathing techniques and relieving the symptoms.

The aim is to increase breathing capacity and cardiopulmonary endurance of the patients.

Breathing exercises–

Pursed Lip Breathing is a technique which improves the oxygenation and ventilation of the lungs. In case of shortness of breath, purse your lips and slowly exhale through your mouth.

Thoracic expansion exercise- once the breathlessness (Dyspnea) is relieved, this exercise can be done to improve the chest expansion, increase ventilation and in removal of the secretions (cough).

Steps to follow-

1. Sit supported
2. Breath normally for 2-3 time
3. Now take a deep breath in and while doing this take your hands up from the shoulder.
4. Hold the breath for 2-3 counts.
5. Slowly exhale through mouth and takes the hands down while exhaling.

Diaphragmatic (Abdominal) breathing exercise- Place your hands over the upper part of the abdomen. (for feedback as that part of your abdomen must rise up while inhaling)

Take a deep breath in, hold the breath for 2-3 counts and slowly exhale through mouth.

Resisted breathing exercise- These exercises are done with the help of external devices to improve the strength of your respiratory muscles.

A breathing device called inspiratory muscle trainer is used to resist the breathing.

Another technique which can be practiced at home is with the use of towel. Place a towel against the chest and pull it with your hands while taking a deep breath in, so that it will provide resistance to your chest while inhaling.

Physical training– An individualized exercise regime is prescribed, to improve the fitness, cardiopulmonary endurance and quality of life.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy- It is an innovative therapy which acts at cellular level and improves the cellular health of the individuals.

The triggering factor for the symptoms in asthmatic bronchitis is inflammation. It causes vasodilatation, myorelaxation, hyper-production of connective tissue and activation of the cell membrane.

PEMF enhances the microcirculation of oxygenated blood in the lung tissue as well as blood oxygen saturation due to its strong vasodilatory effect on the pre-capillary arterioles and capillaries, and it reduces swelling.

Studies have shown that PEMF therapy may promote chronic inflammation resolution by mediating gene expression changes important for inhibiting and resolving inflammation.  it modulates ion exchange across cell membranes and thus regulates the tone of smooth muscle.

References-

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Stimulation Impairs Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Via Regulation of TRP Channels and Reactive Oxygen Species