Breathing exercises for lung cancer patients during recovery period after surgery

Surgery is the first choice for treating lung cancer. It often requires the removal of part or all of one side of the lung tissue, and respiratory function is impaired to varying degrees. To improve the patient's quality of life, breathing exercises can be started after the condition stabilizes.

1. Breathe through your nose: Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly within 4 to 6 seconds. Do this 3 to 5 times a day, 5 to 10 times each time.

2. Raise your arms and breathe: inhale when you raise your arms outward, and exhale when you lower them. Let your arms hang naturally on both sides of your body, and move them up and down alternately along the sides of your body, inhale when you move up, and exhale when you return to the original position.

3. Abdominal breathing: The abdomen bulges when inhaling and slowly retracts when exhaling to reduce irritation to the chest surgical incision.

4. Chest breathing: The chest rises when inhaling and relaxes when exhaling. The rhythmic expansion and relaxation of the chest improves blood circulation, prevents tissue adhesion and tightening of wound skin, and promotes wound healing.

5. Leg-lifting breathing: Stand with one hand supporting you, and bend and lift your lower limbs alternately. Inhale when you lift them, and exhale when you return them to their original positions. First, take a deep breath through your nose, and when you exhale, purse your lips, like you are whistling.

6. Diaphragm exercise: The patient lies on his back or sits, with both hands placed on the upper abdomen. When inhaling, the abdomen rises slowly, and both hands apply pressure to do resistance exercises. When exhaling, the abdomen sinks, and the hands sink with it. At the end of exhalation, slightly apply pressure to further raise the diaphragm.

7. Whole body training: 1 to 3 months after surgery, gradually increase whole body fitness training, such as walking, exercise bike, swimming, Tai Chi, yoga, etc., which will help improve respiratory function.