managing your breathing side 2 - acclaim health · 2019-01-09 · managing your breathing tips to...

Peel Regional Cancer Program Managing Your Breathing Tips to prevent and manage shortness of breath Self-Care: Keep items most frequently used close by During intimacy with your partner, a standing or sitting position may be more comfortable Ask for help with shopping or use a shopping trolley or small backpack Share your feelings with your family, friends, and healthcare team Equipment: Use pillows to raise your head Use reclining chair with footrest Use a walker or wheelchair if needed Ask about the use of bed rail, bath board, and other equipment. Environment: Posture: Try to remain sitting while dressing Avoid bending over at the waist Shortness of breath can interfere with quality of life. Use this tool to help you cope with daily routine and fulfill other roles that are important to you. Try pushing instead of pulling Climbing stairs - with each step, breathe out and rest Avoid hot water when showering or bathing Take your medications as prescribed Regular follow-up visits with your healthcare team Plan your day and avoid rushing Rest in between activities Use Breathing and Relaxation Exercises (see page 2) Avoid talking while walking For Medical Emergency, call 911 Important names and contacts Visiting nurse ______________________ Family physician ______________________ Pharmacy ______________________ Other ______________________ When should I call my healthcare team Breathing becoming more diﬃcult You are struggling to breath & feeling nervous Sudden, new or increasing chest pain Fever (>38 o C) Awaking with sudden shortness of breath New or increasing cough Breathing is noisy Avoid things that can cause shortness of breath such as smoking, perfume, ﬂowers, pets If the weather permits open a window or use a fan Stay indoors when weather is too hot or too cold Page 1

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Peel Regional Cancer Program

Managing Your Breathing

Tips to prevent and manage shortness of breath

Self-Care:

Keep items most frequently used close byDuring intimacy with your partner, a standing or sitting position may be more comfortableAsk for help with shopping or use a shopping trolley or small backpackShare your feelings with your family, friends, and healthcare team

Equipment:Use pillows to raise your head Use reclining chair with footrestUse a walker or wheelchair if neededAsk about the use of bed rail, bath board, and other equipment.

Environment:

Posture:Try to remain sitting while dressingAvoid bending over at the waist

Shortness of breath can interfere with quality of life. Use this tool to help youcope with daily routine and fulfill other roles that are important to you.

Try pushing instead of pullingClimbing stairs - with each step, breathe out and restAvoid hot water when showering or bathing

Take your medications as prescribedRegular follow-up visits with your healthcare teamPlan your day and avoid rushingRest in between activitiesUse Breathing and Relaxation Exercises (see page 2)Avoid talking while walking

For MedicalEmergency,call 911

Important names andcontacts

Visiting nurse

______________________

Family physician

______________________

Pharmacy

______________________

Other

______________________

When should I call my healthcare team

Breathing becomingmore di�cult

You are struggling tobreath & feeling nervous

Sudden, new orincreasing chest pain

Fever (>38oC)

Awaking with suddenshortness of breath

New or increasingcough

Breathing is noisy

Avoid things that can cause shortness of breath such as smoking, perfume, �owers, petsIf the weather permits open a window or use a fanStay indoors when weather is too hot or too cold

Page 1

Page 2: Managing your breathing side 2 - Acclaim Health · 2019-01-09 · Managing Your Breathing Tips to prevent and manage shortness of breath Self-Care: Keep items most frequently used

Breathing and Relaxation Exercises

Gentle Breathing Exercises

Find a comfortable position

Relax your shoulders and simplybreathe

Now try breathing in throughyour nose and out gently throughyour mouth

Count to 3 as you breathe inHold the breath for 2 countsCount to 6 as you breathe out Repeat 3 to 4 times

Try this exercise 3 times a day andwhenever you feel shortness of breath

It is important to know that the process of learning breathing exercises can initially triggercoughing. If this should occur, give yourself permission to stop, take a brief rest period, drink some water if needed, and then begin again.

Developed July 2008 by: Cathy Kiteley, RN, MSc CON(C) CHPCN(C)Version August 2008 Oana – Irina Nistor, RN, BScN, MN –NP student University of Toronto

Printed Material Donated by:

Relaxation Exercises

Find a comfortable position

Close your eyes or �x themon a particular object

As you breathe out, quietlysay in your mind “relax”

Create a picture in your mindof a place that is relaxing

You may want to listen to musicas you are doing this exercise

What to do when breathingbecomes more difficult

PODCAST ON BREATHING DEMONSTRATION IS AVAILABLE AThttp://www.alcase.org/facing/breathing.html

When feeling very short of breath, you canbreathe in and out through your mouth(like you’re blowing out a candle)

See picture with suggestions to ease your breathing