According to the CDC, there can be lingering post COVID symptoms, which include shortness of breath, coughing, decreased physical activity, sleep problems, and heart palpitations, just to name a few. These symptoms usually begin while infected with COVID, and can be ongoing for months after having the virus. These symptoms can disrupt daily routines, causing complications in home-life, work, and leisure activities.
There are different breathing tools and techniques that can be utilized to assist with improvement with the lingering effects of COVID. Occupational therapists assist in the education of these tools and techniques. Some of them include aerobiKa, incentive spirometer, and pursed lip breathing. For best overall results, all 3 of these are used in conjunction with one another.
The aerobiKa and the spirometer are tools referred for use from a medical provider, based on the current symptoms of the patient. The aerobiKa is a small oscillating breathing device, which uses the combined forces of oscillation and vibration to break up and move mucous throughout the airways. The incentive spirometer focuses on the expansion of airflow throughout the airways.
Pursed lip breathing is a breathing technique that focuses on a certain inhale/exhale pattern. While completing this pattern, there is increased focus on slowing the airflow down, while increasing the amount of air that circulates throughout the body. While completing this, there is increased relaxation/calming mechanism that occurs.
When used in combination with one another, these will help to treat/prevent COVID related pneumonia, promote the necessary productive cough, improve shortness of breath, increase functional tolerance for exercise and daily activities, and improve sleep patterns. All tools/techniques will work on maximizing respiratory capacity for ease for daily activities, increase ability to return to work, and for patient’s ability to enjoy the leisure activities that they were once passionate about. All of the above stated will assist with improving overall quality of life.
If you are noticing difficulty breathing or that you are becoming short of breath doing tasks that used to be easy, talk to your primary care provider about the possibility of starting a breathing program with an occupational therapist.
Lynae Petersen, MS, OTR/L
Bowdle Healthcare Center