What we call correct breathing is actually diaphragmatic breathing. During correct breathing, the breath is taken in through the nose and out through the mouth. During breathing, our ribcage expands to the sides, and we can feel this by placing our hands on our ribs, expanding it during inhalation and evacuating the air inside during exhalation. When we breathe from the diaphragm in this way, the air does not only stay in the upper lobes of the lungs, but goes down to the lower lobes. In this way, oxygen is carried to the lower lobes.
What are the benefits of increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood along with correct breathing on the immune system?
The most important requirement for the immune system is oxygen. With the increase in oxygen in the blood, the hematopoietic (stem cell) response improves and t cell production increases. T cells have a distinct relationship with oxygen and modulate their function in response to environmental oxygen levels. Regulatory t cells maintain immune system homeostasis (balance). In this way, we can improve our immunity by breathing correctly.
Does the body absorb more oxygen with correct breathing?
We can say yes to this, if we need to explain why; To breathe correctly, we must breathe through the nose, not the mouth. In this way, the air passes through a narrower line and moves slowly. In this way, the inspiration (breathing) time increases and better ventilation is provided in the alveoli.
In addition, thanks to the nitric oxide secreted when breathing through the nose, the air softens and moistens and goes to the lungs. Thus, oxygen easily penetrates the alveoli.
What are the benefits of increasing the amount of oxygen the body needs and its effect on the immune system?
During exercise, a temporary state of hypoxia (decrease in oxygen in the tissues) occurs as the amount of oxygen in the body decreases and the need for oxygen increases. The body develops inflammation in response to hypoxia using the immune system. We can simply explain inflammation as the body's response to antigen or tissue damage. Thanks to this response of the immune system, immune system cells are activated. ir. In other words, by exercising, we increase the body's need for oxygen and activate our immune system.
Do breathing exercises have any effects on stress control?
Yes, take a correct position (with our body upright). When we do breathing exercises (sitting position, head up, hands loose), especially when we take deep breaths and keep our exhalation time longer than our inhalation time, we create a stress-reducing control system on our body. Our hormonal and nervous systems take action to relax the body, we activate the parasympathetic system - the system where we feel at rest - where the danger is removed. When we feel stress, our sympathetic system, which is the opposite of this system, is activated. In fact, this sympathetic system is a flight or fight response. When the activity of the sympathetic system, which is a life saver for us in a short time, lasts for a long time, it turns into anxiety, begins to harm our body, and if it continues for a long time, this situation also reduces the immune system. In the extraordinary conditions we are currently experiencing, we can put ourselves into anxiety and stress by constantly following the cases and news on social media, experiencing financial concerns, and spending much more time at home than our normal routine. In this sense, breathing exercises are very important for our body. We need to make time for ourselves and spend time on these exercises for our health.
How can we combine exercise with breathing exercises?
Correct breathing is very important in all types of exercise. Cardio-Pulminary When we exercise, our need for oxygen increases and we start breathing frequently to close this gap. A trained person breathes deeply because his lung capacity has increased through exercise, and his breathing frequency is less and his respiratory muscles get less tired, which provides a great advantage for sending oxygen to the cells in a single breath. For this reason, it is important to include regular exercise in our lives to increase our lung capacity and create the correct breathing pattern.
Forgetting to breathe or not breathing incorrectly during exercises that strain us, such as strength training, can harm us. exercise Holding your breath while exercising is very harmful, especially for cardiovascular health, and can have bad consequences. For this reason, it is useful to turn your breaths into patterns. Although it varies depending on the type of training, we can create a pattern between our movements such as exhale when you have difficulty and inhale in the next movement.
In yoga and pilates exercises, it is useful to create a breathing pattern such as inhale when you open your chest and exhale when you keep your chest closed, in order to activate the respiratory muscles and increase their flexibility.
Are there any methods to remove secretions from the lungs during and after Covid-19 treatment?
Yes, there are and these techniques are used all over the world; percussion, postural drainage, vibration, huffing, coughing techniques and active breathing patterns are behind the methods used. These techniques are applied by respiratory physiotherapists.
Finally, is there anything you would like to say about breathing?
A lot of questions. Thank you. Our body requires a lot of oxygen in all metabolic processes, and the more we breathe correctly in our daily lives, the better our quality of life is, so I recommend everyone to do breathing exercises that will increase our lung capacity. This is very important as it will both maintain our health and contribute to the recovery process when we have a disease that affects our lungs, such as Covid-19.
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