How Stress Affects Breathing for People Living with COPD

If stress changes how you breathe, it's real. In this episode, we explain how stress affects breathing and how it relates to living with COPD. We also share practical tips you can use to manage your breathing before you feel breathless. In this episode of the Lung Health Champion, host Arnelle Konde speaks with pulmonologist Dr. Trisha Parekh and Lisa Hall, a person living with COPD, about the connection between stress and breathing. Lisa describes how stress can cause chest tightness, faster speech, coughing, fatigue, and difficulty exhaling. Dr. Parekh explains the body’s fight-or-flight response, the cycle between rapid breathing and trapped air, and the links between psychological health, symptom burden, and COPD flare-ups. They also discuss social isolation, sleep, pulmonary rehabilitation, breathing techniques, meditation, mental health support, and creating an “action chair” with essential supplies.

Key Points From This Episode

[00:00:00] Highlights & Show intro

[00:01:50] How Stress Impacts The Lungs & Breathing

[00:05:35] Dr. Parekh explains the fight-or-flight response

[00:08:41] How Stress and Anxiety May Increase Symptom Burden

[00:11:35] How to Check for Stress and Anxiety for Patients

[00:12:22] How Social Barriers can Affect COPD Health

[00:14:07] Social Isolation and Loneliness Living with COPD

[00:15:13] Everyday Stressors that Can Affect Breathing

[00:17:58] Anxiety or Stress-Induced Breathlessness vs. Exacerbation

[00:19:40] Stress Management

[00:23:14] Dr. Parekh Explains & Demonstrates Diaphragmatic and Pursed-lip breathing

[00:26:45] Mental Health Care in COPD Management

[00:28:09] Lisa discusses advocating for a sleep study.

[00:29:34] Final Takeaways

Links

• COPD Foundation:
  https://www.copdfoundation.org
• Learn more about breathing techniques for times of stress: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-New-to-COPD/Breathing-Techniques.aspx
• Guides for Better Living: https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/Educational-Materials-Resources/Downloads.aspx#guides
• Production and editing by The Podcast Consultant:
  https://thepodcastconsultant.com
• Sign up for COPD Foundation's Newsletter:
  https://www.copdfoundation.org/About-Us/Who-We-Are/Contact-Us.aspx#enewsletter

The podcast is provided by the COPD Foundation as an educational resource only and should not be considered as offering medical advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for a physician's professional judgment in providing advice, diagnosis, or treatment for any medical or health condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.