10 Ways to Manage Shortness of Breath With Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is more than a physical problem. Feeling like you're suffocating with tightness in your chest is emotionally distressing. That can lead to panic attacks, which in turn make shortness of breath worse. Here are 10 strategies to practice regularly to help you breathe easier with small-cell lung cancer.

How you sit and lie down can help your lungs expand so you breathe more easily. When you're in a chair, try sitting upright, rather than slumping, and lean slightly forward, with your forearms on your thighs or the arms of the chair. If you're at a table or desk, lean forward from your hips and put your head and upper chest on a pillow. To sleep more easily, prop up your head with pillows – think of the angle of a recliner. Ask the occupational therapist on your team for pillow recommendations. Getting better sleep will also help you avoid feeling easily exhausted as you go about your day.

One of the simplest things you can do is wave a handheld fan – paper or electronic – in front of your face. The stream of cool air turns on the nerves in your face, and this helps ease shortness of breath. You can get the same result from sitting in front of a floor, window, or table fan. In a pinch, sit in front of an open window when it's cool outside. Since cool air is easier to breathe in than warmer air, turn down your thermostat when you can.

There are a few breathing techniques that can help ease shortness of breath. The first is called pursed-lip breathing because you purse or pucker your lips to breathe out (think of blowing a kiss or blowing out a candle). Breathe in through your nose and then out through your pursed lips. Holding your lips this way helps you inhale and exhale more air while slowing down the pace of your breathing. Do it for five to 10 minutes up to five times a day to master it, then do it whenever you start to feel breathless, especially during physical exertion.

Diaphragmatic or belly breathing is a type of deep breathing. You can use it to ease shortness of breath during activity or a bout of anxiety by taking long, deep breaths instead of short, shallow ones. Lie down or sit in a chair, and place one hand on your stomach just below your breastbone. Take a deep breath to locate your diaphragm, the main muscle engaged when you breathe. You want to feel it rise as you inhale slowly and deeply. Then feel it sink back as you exhale slowly – think of pressing it toward your back. Practice this twice a day for five or 10 minutes to get comfortable with it.

This is a variation of diaphragmatic breathing that you can do standing up. Stand at a counter or desk and lean forward, resting your arms on the surface. Slowly inhale, then exhale with pursed lips. Taking long, deep breaths helps you recover from shortness of breath. If possible, do recovery breathing in front of a fan for even greater calming.

By spreading out tasks across each day instead of trying to do everything all at once, you can lower the risk of shortness of breath. Follow each small block of activity with a block of rest. This pacing also keeps you from feeling exhausted and is even more important when doing things that bring on breathlessness. Use a paper or digital calendar to help you avoid scheduling too much on any given day.

Shortness of breath gets worse when you're anxious about it. Besides focused breathing exercises, you can ease anxiety with relaxation techniques like meditation, picturing a happy place, and even light movement. Yoga and tai chi are examples of mind-body exercises that can relax you because they include deep breathing. If these steps aren't enough to rein in anxiety, ask your doctor about medications that could stop the anxiety-shortness of breath cycle.

Healthy habits can make breathing easier. Staying hydrated and eating a nutritious diet are at the top of the list. Even if you don't smoke, stay away from others who do to avoid breathing in secondhand smoke. It might seem counterintuitive, but exercise helps you avoid shortness of breath by maintaining your muscles and boosting the flow of oxygen to your blood. Even 10 minutes a day can help. To get started, ask your medical team for a referral to an exercise physiologist who can map out a program just for you.

This is a great option for easing shortness of breath. Think of it as exercise therapy for your lungs. You'll learn breathing techniques and tips to stop breathlessness, as well as how to use diet, exercise, and rest to improve your lung function and your quality of life. Your medical team can refer you to a pulmonary rehab center near you for small group or solo sessions.

Many medications can ease shortness of breath, like bronchodilators that open airways in the lungs and steroids that reduce swelling. This is why it's important to tell your doctor about your breathlessness. Sometimes, drugs for pain relief also help. Based on your blood oxygen level, you may breathe easier with oxygen therapy. This involves a small tank of oxygen that you breathe in through a mask or nose tubes. Your doctor will explain how and when to use it.