How to breathe when you are short of breath

Pursed lip breathing helps you use less energy to breathe. It can help you relax. When you are short of breath, it helps you slow the pace of your breathing and can help you feel less short of breath.

Use pursed lip breathing when you do things that make you short of breath:

• Exercising
• Bending
• Lifting
• Climbing stairs
• When you feel anxiety 

You can practice pursed lip breathing anytime. Try to practice 4 or 5 times a day when:

• You are watching TV.
• You are using your computer.
• You are reading a newspaper.

How to Do Pursed Lip Breathing

Relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet on the floor.

Do these steps in this order:

1. Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
2. Feel your belly get larger as you breathe in.
3. Pucker your lips, as if you were going to whistle or blow out a candle.
4. Breathe out (exhale) slowly through your lips for 4 or more counts.

Exhale normally. Do not force the air out. Do not hold your breath when you are doing pursed lip breathing. Repeat these steps until your breathing slows.

Alternate Names

Pursed lip breathing

Update Date: 5/29/2012

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

Browse the Encyclopedia

MedlinePlus Topics

• Asthma
• Asthma in Children
• Breathing Problems
• Chronic Bronchitis
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Emphysema

Images

Pursed lip breathing

Read More

• Breathing difficulty
• Bronchiolitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Diffuse interstitial lung disease
• Lung surgery
• Pneumonia - adults (community acquired)

Patient Instructions

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - discharge
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - control drugs
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - quick-relief drugs
• Interstitial lung disease - adults - discharge
• Lung surgery - discharge

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.