W6 Flashcards
What is dysfunctional breathing?
An alteration in the normal biomechanical patterns of breathing that results in intermittent or chronic symptoms which may be respiratory and/or non-respiratory
What are the types of dysfunctional breathing patterns?
- Hyperventilation
- Hypoventilation
- Erratic
- Thoracic dominant
- Asynchrony
What are the aetiologies of dysfunctional breathing (causes)?
- Respiratory disease (e.g. COPD, bronchiectasis, asthma etc.)
- Physiological condition (metabolic conditions with resp compensation)
- Muscle dysfunction
- Psychological factors (anxiety, stress)
What is the typical pattern of dysfunctional breathing in obstructive lung disease? (flow chart)
Airflow limitation –> gas trapping –> hyperinflation of lungs –> increase AP diameter of chest (barrel chest) –> flattened diaphragm –> V/Q mismatch
What is the typical pattern of dysfunctional breathing specifically in restrictive lung disease? (flow chart)
Decreased lung compliance –> reduced FRC, TLC, FVC –> rapid and shallow breathing
Subjective assessment of dysfunctional breathing questions
- Description of symptoms
- Awareness of own breathing pattern
- Triggers
- Easing factors
- Recovery techniques
- Air hunger signs (yawning/sighing/tingling hands and feet)
-Sleep - Voice changes
- Nasal symptoms (bloked/runny)
- PMHx, SHx
Objective assessment of dysfunctional breathing things to LOOK at
- Breathing at rest
- Breathing during exercise/functional task
- Posture
Objective assessment of dysfunctional breathing things to FEEL
- Diaphragmatic excursion (thoracic expansion)
- Basal expansion
Objective assessment of dysfunctional breathing things to LISTEN to
- Sounds during inspiration and expiration
- Auscultation
- Cough
What are the outcome measures of dysfunctional breathing?
- Nijmegen questionnaire
- Breathing Pattern Assessment Tool (BPAT) (>4 indicates dysfunctional)
- Self Evaluation of Breathing Questionnaire (SEBQ)
- Manual assessment of respiratory motion (MARM) (Thoracic and abdominal movements)
- Breath-hold test (after exhale, <20 sec indicates dysfunction)
What is dyspnea?
A subjective experience of breathing discomfort often associated with the sensation of a lack of air
What are the stages in an assessment of dyspnea?
- Sensory perceptual experience (Intensity, quality descriptors)
- Affective distress (anxious, depresses, frustrated etc.)
- Impact (functional, emotional, QOL)
The negative cycle of dyspnea and activity
Cardiorespiratory disease –> Breathlessness –> Inactivity –> Muscle deconditioning –> Excess lactate/CO2 production –> Breathlessness –> ongoing cycle increasing in severity
What are some management techniques for the breathless patient? (list 6)
- Breathing Control
- Pursed lip breathing
- Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT)
- Positioning
- Hand held fan
- Activity pacing and energy conservation
What are some techniques for activity pacing and energy conservation in the breathless patient?
- Seated hygiene (move mirror down at sink, shower stool)
- Seated dressing
- Kitchen organisation (move frequently used items to low levels on shelves)
What is a hand-held fan used for in the breathless patient?
- Increased airflow decreasing WOB
- Provides sensory stimulation of airflow (reducing anxiety)
- Possibly stimulates trigeminal nerve
- Cooler temperature of air
Steps to teaching Breathing Control (BC)
- Focus on relaxing the arms, shoulders and chest
- Place hand on upper abdomen to feel gentle rise and fall with each breath
- Focus on relaxing throughout
Steps to teaching pursed lips breathing
- Inhale slowly through nose
- Purse your lips as if you are going to whistle
- Exhale slowly whilst keeping your lips pursed
- Do not force lungs to empty completely
What is the purpose of inspiratory muscle training (IMT)?
Reduce the perception of breathlessness by modulating central neural processing
Steps to teaching IMT
- Use a 30-60% maximal inspiratory pressure on the device
- 6-10 breaths x3-4 sets
- 2x per day, every 2nd day
- Complete for 5-8 weeks