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Hi everyone,
Back in August I posted a question re shortness of breath. And then in the archives, I saw posts mentioning Teresa Hale's book "Breathing Free." I'm nearly finished reading it and found many of the points (facts?) intriguing.
Ms. Hale refers to shortness of breath as "overbreathing," and recommends breathing only thru one's nose, even while doing sports, exercises, etc. This is hard to do when one's nose is stopped with congestion!!! But, she says, do it anyway!!! There are tests and exercises/programs to help with every aspect of breathing difficulties. She maintains and quotes evidence that it's carbon dioxide that we need more of, not oxygen.
She also promotes shallow breathing---breathing only from the top of one's lungs, and never deeply and never from the middle or bottom of the lungs. Nor does she advocate coughing---unless, of course, one is dislodging a misrouted morsel or drink.
The shallow breathing does help calm anxiety to a degree, but it has yet to relieve the extreme fatigue associated with "shortness of breath/over-breathing." The fatigue is due to muscles not getting enough oxygen; and yet, she maintains we need less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. I am very puzzled about this part.
I haven't fared well on the breathing tests because one needs to expell all breath, clamp the nose shut and not inhale for how many ever seconds one can go. This will definitely take some practice because fear is part of it, too.
Sorry this is so long. Just wanted you to know how this holistic practice is exactly the opposite of what the conventional medical community is offering the public. It's like playing roulette with one's health.
Merlynn Starr
In Reply to: Breathing posted by Merlynn Starr on September 16, 2002 at 20:01:27:
Merlynn - I'm glad you posted comments about this book. I started to read it and was so confused, for the same reasons you are, that I stopped and loaned it to a friend whose opinions I respect. Unfortunately, she hasn't had time to get into it so I don't have her take on it.
It DOES seem totally opposite from what we thought we believed, doesn't it? And yet her presentation sounds convincing.
Looking forward to comments from any breathing "gurus".
In Reply to: Re: Breathing posted by DianeAC on September 16, 2002 at 20:37:36:
Well, I'm not exactly a breathing "guru" but I do pay attention to my body very closely, including my breathing, so I'd like to share my thoughs with others. I haven't read any books on this topic, yet through self-observance, I've noticed a few things. How to breath, to me, really depends on where you are at, what you are doing, and what kind of air you have around.
For instance, when we have ozone action days or just bad air days in general (which describes just about everywhere in a modern city), I find myself breathing VERY shallowly, even when I attempt to deepen my breath. I think it's our body's natural reaction to protect ourselves from unhealthy, even toxic air. But whenever I jog/run/brisk walk in nature with fresh air around, my lungs always expand ALL the way up, greedily grabbing every air molecule to oxygenate the body. However, if I happen to do the same aerobic exercise in a smoggy location or inside a building, I'd feel as if I can't breath, so eventually I'd give up the running/jogging there.
So, the best way for me seems to trust the body's response to environment. When we breath shallowly, there is a reason for it and I wouldn't force myself to breath more of the dirty, toxic gas. That's why it's very important for us to exercise in a location where there is clean (or cleaner) air around--we can refill our need for purer air.
BTW, I find myself breath really, really shallow in clothing stores, shoe stores, department stores, fabric stores, and home improvement centers. And whenever I have to stay in these places for a longer time, I get headaches. I've always wondered whether anyone (scientises, health officials, etc.) has bothered to test the air quality in these places. I assume it's probably very toxic.
In Reply to: Breathing posted by Merlynn Starr on September 16, 2002 at 20:01:27:
I think that if congested one should try to
relieve it. Breathing through the nose is the
desired way because of the defenses the body has
there.
I Thought that Deep breaths were more relaxing.
As to needing more CO2, I question that. Our lungs
don't empty as much unless we are really exerting
ourself and if we Don't release CO2 it makes our
system go acid and That can cause Severe problems.
When it happened to me I lost my central vision
and I had to dose with bicarbonate to bring it
back. Luckily I had gotten a rare case of
heartburn and went out and bought some.
Like Bing said, I try to listen to my body and
unless something makes a Lot of sens or trying it
fixes something I wouldn't be convinced.
With my lungs burned and being a smoker I had
the best pulminary function results that 2 testing
facilities ever was even for a 5 mile a day, non
smoking jogger half my age. One had to recalibrate
the machine for me since it was banging against
the stop. Both gave me a clean bill of lung health
though I was gasping for air and almost passed out
from the exertion. What probably saved me is that
I have the lung capacity of a trained athelete
which must have come from all my extreme physical
activities and liking to make simple tasks like a
workout and not accepting any physical limits if
I hadn't played a sport in a while like no tennis
over the winter. I would push each time I practiced
till I had no limitations in breathing or speed and
Then I would start playing. The burn I would feel
in my lungs was probably stretching tissues and
increasing size and capacity. It might have saved
my life when I was burned.
VF
In Reply to: Re: Breathing posted by bing on September 16, 2002 at 21:59:43:
In Nov.of last year I was completely fatigued and had severe nerve burning in fingertips. It spread to arms skipping hands and wrists.I kept going back and forth to the doctor for months and was getting worse. (Not c. tunnel) (nerves severed 22 years ago)All tests came back good except the one for oxygen levels of 51. Further tests showed I had carbon monoxide in my bloodstream. I do not smoke. My husband and sons smoked in house all winter. All tests by fire dept and gas co. were good. They determimed that I inhaled second hand smoke for 6 months from their smoke. The fireman showed my husband how the carbon monoxide tester goes off when holding cigarette smoke underneath. No one has ever heard of such a thing and I can't find any info on it. I am having more neurological problems. I go into the Cleveland Clinic for studies in Oct. I have been searching for answers for almost a year now and can't seem to get any from the doctors in my area. They are all puzzled. but not as much as I am.Can carbon monoxide poisoning from second hand smoke cause neurological damage? And can it be reversed? I am desperate for an answer from someone who knows or has heard of anyone else with this problem.They have me on a CPAP machne because of tests show I stop breathing 20 times per hr. average.Every week they keep increasing my air pressure also. Why? I have been to so many doctors and had so many tests and no clear answer.I have detoxified myself take supplements exercise eat right(no meat for 30 years no junk food) and a health freak! Chiropractor says he can't help me. My neurologist says I could have neurological problems from central sleep apnea and my pulmonary doctor who claims to be a sleep disorders expert says my neorological problems have nothing to do with all of my muscle and nerve problems that is getting more painful. They keep sending me to different doctors for opinions.I have been suffering for almost a year and getting worse. They have me on Ambien10mg. for isomonia(how can anyone sleep in pain?)A Duragesic pain patch and Vicodin Hp and Zanaflex and Paxil. They started all this junk in July and I
the pain is unbearable without it. and with I still have some pain.I hate to take it but I have no choice, I'm suffering so bad now. Do you have an opinion Dr. Stoll? Anyone else heard of carbon monoxide poisioning from second hand smoke?
In Reply to: Re: Breathing posted by bing on September 16, 2002 at 21:59:43:
In Nov.of last year I was completely fatigued and had severe nerve burning in fingertips. It spread to arms skipping hands and wrists.I kept going back and forth to the doctor for months and was getting worse. (Not c. tunnel) (nerves severed 22 years ago)All tests came back good except the one for oxygen levels of 51. Further tests showed I had carbon monoxide in my bloodstream. I do not smoke. My husband and sons smoked in house all winter. All tests by fire dept and gas co. were good. The doctors have determimed that I inhaled second hand smoke for 6 months from their smoke. The fireman showed my husband how the carbon monoxide tester goes off when holding cigarette smoke underneath. No one has ever heard of such a thing and I can't find any info on it. I am having more neurological problems. I go into the Cleveland Clinic for studies in Oct. I have been searching for answers for almost a year now and can't seem to get a straight one from the doctors in my area. They are all puzzled as to whether the carbon monoxide from the second hand smoke cause the nerve damage. but not as much as I am. They agree the poisioning had to come from cigarettes.The next day I was not exposed to any and the tests came back good. I have not be around any since. They all smoke outside now. I was the only one in the household to have it also. Can carbon monoxide poisoning from second hand smoke cause neurological damage? And can it be reversed? I am desperate for an answer from someone who knows or has heard of anyone else with this problem.They have me on a CPAP machne because of tests show I stop breathing 20 times per hr. average.Every week they keep increasing my air pressure also. Why? I have been to so many doctors and had so many tests and no clear answer.I have detoxified myself I take supplements, exercise eat right(no meat for 30 years no junk food)never used any drugs until July. I don't drink or smoke. and am health freak! Chiropractor says he can't help me. My neurologist says I could have neurological problems from central sleep apnea and my pulmonary doctor who claims to be a sleep disorders expert says my neorological problems have nothing to do with all of my muscle and nerve problems that is getting more painful. They keep sending me to different doctors for opinions.I have been suffering for almost a year and getting worse. They have me on Ambien10mg. for isomonia(how can anyone sleep in pain?)A Duragesic pain patch and Vicodin Hp and Zanaflex and Paxil. They started all this junk in July and
the pain is unbearable without it. and with I still have some pain.I hate to take it but I have no choice, I'm suffering so bad now. Do you have an opinion Dr. Stoll? Anyone else heard of carbon monoxide poisioning from second hand smoke?
In Reply to: Breathing posted by Merlynn Starr on September 16, 2002 at 20:01:27:
Thanks, everyone!
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Re: Breathing Problems/and more from second-hand smoke doctors tell me. posted by Lindalee on September 17, 2002 at 05:32:34:
smoking depletes B-12 and probably other vits so
maybe you don't consume or absorb enough for your
needs as the smokers probably do.
VF
In Reply to: Re: Breathing Problems/and more from second-hand smoke doctors tell me. posted by Lindalee on September 17, 2002 at 05:32:34:
Check out the Bracing info. You have classic symptoms with the burnin' and apnea.
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