St Barnabas Hospices (Sussex) Ltd
SHORTNESS OF BREATH – USEFUL HINTS
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Here are a lot of hints, tick the ones most appropriate to you.
General
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Plan ahead, pace yourself.
Set priorities and save energy for the most important ones and the things you really
want to do
When you plan an activity, it may help to build in a rest period, e.g. time for a coffee
break during a shopping trip.
Electric fans/hand held battery fans, blowing on your face, could ease shortness of
breath.
Open the windows.
To aid breathing control or relaxation, find a quiet spot and try listening to some music
that you like. It can help your breathing to maintain good muscle strength in your
arms and legs.
Regular nutrition and small meals are important to provide energy, strengthen
breathing muscles and protect you against chest infections. Avoid making your
tummy too big by eating large meals or gas forming foods such as onions, raw apples
and cucumber. An enlarged tummy will reduce your lung space and could worsen
your shortness of breath.
You could also try counted breathing; try counting 1 & 2 for breathing in and 3 & 4 for
breathing out. If increasing the count to 3, 4 & 5 to breathe out longer helps, try it.
This can be used on the stairs and can make breathing feel easier and take exercise
more comfortably.
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Washing/Dressing
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If brushing your teeth is a chore, try an electric toothbrush.
Sit for activities, e.g. washing, preparing food.
Choose loose clothing and especially avoid tight clothes that go over your head.
Conserve energy by having the correct height bed/chair/toilet.
If showering, sit on a stool/chair. Have grab rails and a non-slip mat installed, as they
will help you keep your balance. Do not have the water too hot. To decrease steam,
have a well ventilated room.
If bathing, use a bath seat if you have difficulty getting up out of the bath.
If very short of breath or unsteady, it is best not to shower/bath without someone
present in the house and do not lock the bathroom door.
Scented soaps/perfumes may bother your breathing.
To aid washing, a long handled bath sponge may help.
If drying yourself is difficult after a bath/shower, try wrapping yourself in a terrytowelling bathrobe. A long handled dry sponge may help with your toes.
w.\group information\policies\clinical\patient & family information leaflets\stb patient information leaflets\shortness of
breath – useful hints
Originator: Physiotherapist
Last Review:
January 2012
Approval Date: October 2007
Next Review:
January 2014
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Mobility
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Wheeled walking frames can ease the work of breathing, as they help to support your
shoulders and give you something safe to rest on.
Your GP can organise a wheelchair for you to enable you to continue with activities
that you may otherwise have to stop.
To decrease anxiety, a care line may be of benefit. These can be ordered via Social
Services.
Long handled shoehorns help to avoid bending too much. Long handled helping
hands may also be of benefit.
Avoid bending and stretching if you can, keep the things you use most often within
easy reach, e.g. shelves in the kitchen may need rearranging.
When bending, have something secure to hold on to, to help you stand up again.
Try not to make too many trips up and down the stairs. Place a bag at the bottom
and top of the stairs to collect items, and take them up and down at the same time, so
long as they are not too heavy.
Disabled badge for car.
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Shopping
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Try to shop at the least busy times.
Use a shopping trolley, even if you think you are not buying much.
Ask a member of staff to help you pack your shopping bags and carry them to your
car.
You could try Internet shopping and home deliveries.
There are services that can help you with transport and mobility. Shopmobility, for
instance, lends wheelchairs and powered scooters for shopping purposes.
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Physiotherapist can be contacted on Tel: 01903 706379
w.\group information\policies\clinical\patient & family information leaflets\stb patient information leaflets\shortness of
breath – useful hints
Originator: Physiotherapist
Last Review:
January 2012
Approval Date: October 2007
Next Review:
January 2014
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