Deep Breathing

Deep breathing helps keep your lungs clear. If you’ve had surgery, this will help you get better faster. Deep breathing also helps you breathe easier and may prevent a lung infection or other complications.

Home care

Follow these steps to do deep breathing:

• Sit on the edge of a bed or a chair. You can also lie on your back with your knees slightly bent.

• If you've had surgery on or near your chest or belly, hold a pillow or rolled-up towel firmly against your cut (incision) with both hands. Hug the pillow.

• Breathe out normally.

• Breathe in deeply through your nose. Feel your stomach push out as you breathe in.

• Hold your breath for 2 to 5 seconds, if possible.

• Pucker your lips as you would to blow out a candle.

• With your lips puckered, breathe out slowly through your mouth. You should feel your chest go down as you breathe out.

• Rest for a few seconds, breathing normally.

• Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

• Repeat the above steps as many times as directed.

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment, or as directed by your healthcare provider.

When to get medical care

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider

• Signs of infection, if you've had surgery. These include redness, swelling, or warmth at your incision site, or pus or fluid draining from the site.

• Brownish or bloody sputum (mucus)

• Minor bleeding from surgical site

• New cough

• Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting

• Increasing pain

• Dizziness or weakness

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

Call 911

Shortness of breath may be a sign of a serious health problem. Call 911right away if you have shortness of breath that gets worse or have trouble breathing, especially with any of the symptoms below:

• Confusion or trouble staying awake

• Loss of consciousness or fainting

• Chest pain or tightness

• Trouble breathing or wheezing

• Bluish skin or lips

• Coughing up blood

• Severe pain

• Severe bleeding or new opening at surgical site