Asthma Management: Essential Information on Breathing Techniques
In the United States, asthma affects a large number of people, causing inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult for individuals to breathe and potentially life-threatening. While there is no cure for asthma, various methods are proposed to help manage symptoms, and one such approach is the use of breathing exercises.
One such technique is the Papworth method, a relaxation training and breathing technique that involves breathing through the nose and diaphragm. Another popular method is the Buteyko method, which encourages slow and gentle nose breathing and is claimed to reduce asthma symptoms by lessening airway sensitivity.
However, the scientific evidence supporting the use of breathing exercises as a means to manage asthma symptoms is mixed. A meta-analysis of 22 studies found that breathing exercises may provide short-term improvements in quality of life for adults with asthma, but they do not seem to help relieve symptoms and may allow people to improve symptoms of hyperventilation. On the other hand, a 2025 randomized controlled trial in school-aged asthmatic children demonstrated that pulmonary rehabilitation exercises combining breathing training and aerobic limb exercise can be beneficial.
Furthermore, some experts suggest that for individuals with breathing pattern disorders, breath retraining exercises may be recommended instead of solely increasing asthma medication. Modern asthma care tools emphasize addressing multiple overlapping conditions such as anxiety, obesity, sleep apnea, or breathing pattern disorders to improve overall asthma control and quality of life.
Despite the mixed evidence, it is important to note that maintaining a clean, allergen-free home, avoiding triggers, and managing weight can help people with asthma manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Obesity can make asthma worse, so maintaining a moderate body weight could be helpful. Allergens such as animal dander, dust mites, rodents, cockroaches, mold, pollen, and tobacco smoke can trigger asthma attacks, so keeping a clean, mold-free home, as well as regularly washing the hands and face to remove pollen, could help keep asthma attacks at bay.
In summary, scientific evidence supports breathing exercises as an adjunct therapy to help manage asthma symptoms through improved breathing patterns, symptom reduction, and quality of life improvements, especially when integrated into comprehensive asthma care plans for both adults and children. However, more research is needed to determine their effectiveness, and individuals with asthma are encouraged to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a personalised management plan. The outlook for people with asthma largely depends on the severity of their condition and their ability to manage their symptoms effectively.
- The Papworth method and the Buteyko method are two breathing techniques proposed as approaches to managing asthma symptoms, involving diaphragm breathing and slow, gentle nose breathing respectively.
- While some research indicates that breathing exercises may provide short-term quality of life improvements for adults with asthma, the scientific evidence supporting their use in symptom relief is mixed.
- A 2025 randomized controlled trial found that pulmonary rehabilitation exercises combining breathing training and aerobic limb exercise can be beneficial for school-aged asthmatic children.
- For individuals with breathing pattern disorders, breath retraining exercises may be recommended instead of solely relying on asthma medication.
- Maintaining a clean, allergen-free home, avoiding triggers, and managing weight can help people with asthma manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
- It is crucial for people with asthma to work closely with healthcare providers to develop a personalized management plan, as the outlook largely depends on the severity of their condition and their ability to manage their symptoms effectively.
