If you feel increasingly short of breath and the slightest activity such as climbing the stairs, carrying objects or bending down makes you feel out of breath, why not try breathing exercises and lung sport?

 

Breathing exercises and lung sport will improve the performance of your lungs quickly. For patients with a pulmonary disease it’s important to exercise and especially to strengthen important muscle groups such the back and chest muscles. Integrate sport into your daily life, and set yourself small goals that you can attain. Do things that you can achieve without help from others.

 

You don’t have to become an olympic athlete straight away, but with activities such as nordic walking, walking or lung sport you’ll be making a good start.

 

To find out more about suitable breathing exercises and to read about a few simple exercises see the patient brochure below. You can also order a free breathing exercise DVD here! (Only available in German)

 

"Most patients in the early but also advanced stages of pulmonary emphysema who engage in regular, balanced physical activities show a marked improvement in their ability to cope with the disease and in their quality of life after a few weeks."

(PD Dr. Thomas Köhnlein, Hannover)

 

 

Small successes will show you the right way, but don’t get too impatient or too strict with yourself! Further information can be obtained from at Alpha-1, COPD or emphysema patient groups.

 

You’ll find more detailed information on breathing exercises and sport for alpha-1 patients in the booklet:

Breathing Exercises and Sport for People with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.