Breath Stacking
Original Editor - Khloud Shreif.
Top Contributors - Khloud Shreif, Kim Jackson, Nikhil Benhur Abburi and Admin
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Our bad posture, improper breathing pattern, previous respiratory disorders or may be some surgical intervention. All these factors and others affect on our amount of inspired oxygen, oxygenation of blood, decrease lung tidal volume.
Definition[edit | edit source]
Breath stacking (BS) is a technique in which a person fill his lung with a more amount of oxygen than he used to do with normal inspiration it is a simple technique as the person slowly breathing in and stacking one breath on top of other as his tolerance then hold followed by expiration slowly.can be done with or without equipment
Indications[edit | edit source]
- Restricted chest movement
- decrease lung capacity due to muscle weakness
- inability to cough
- retained secretions
Benefits[edit | edit source]
- Well-oxygenated blood as during chest expansion it allow more surface area for oxygen to defuse in blood
- Lunge expansion help to clear out of secretions and prevent chest infection from developing
- Patients who applied BS show improvement in cough[1], swallowing
How to do breath stacking[edit | edit source]
Equipments[edit | edit source]
Use the equipment if person can't breath on their own
- modified resuscitator something like a balloon or Modified ambu bag
- With face mask our mouth piece
- Attached by an extension tube (this modified resuscitator) suitable only for BS
- One way valve
[edit | edit source]
Technique[edit | edit source]
- Sit in upright posture shoulders backward and back supported may be applied from reclining or lying flat, not to be done from slouch posture
- Hold face mask firmly around your mouth or may have assistance from a caregiver or put the mouth piece in your mouth.
- Take a deep breath in while you or caregiver squeeze the bag hold the breath in don't breath out
- Take another breath in upon the previous ones and repeat for about two to four times without exhalation in between
- Hold your breath in for 2-3 second remove the mask then breath out through your mouth you may follow hold by cough instead of exhalation if there is secretions or in ability to cough
- This is one breath stacking cycle
- Repeat for 3-5 cycle of BS twice per day at least may be more.
If there is caregiver or assistance squeezing the bag you need to coordinate breathing with his/her.[edit | edit source]
Caution[edit | edit source]
- Dizziness
- Chest discomfort
- Chest pain
If the patient develop one of the above symptoms stop the BS
Cleaning Equipment[edit | edit source]
Face mask or mouth piece rinsed in soapy, warm water then let them to dry naturally.
Modified ambu bag never to clean with water just wipe it down.
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Castrillo LD, Lacombe M, Boré A, Vaugier I, Falaize L, Orlikowski D, Prigent H, Lofaso F. Comparison of two cough-augmentation techniques delivered by a home ventilator in subjects with neuromuscular disease. Respiratory care. 2019 Mar 1;64(3):255-61.
- ↑ Armstrong A. Developing a breath-stacking system to achieve lung volume recruitment. British Journal of Nursing. 2009 Oct 22;18(19):1166-9.
- ↑ Dias CM, Vieira Rde O, Oliveira JF, Lopes AJ, Menezes SL, Guimarães FS. Three physiotherapy protocols: effects on pulmonary volumes after cardiac surgery. J Bras Pneumol. 2011 Jan 1;37(1):54-60.
- ↑ AmyandpALSvideos. Breath Stacking ll, With Resuscitation Bag. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nPrRHME[last accessed 25/3/2020]
- ↑ AmyandpALSvideos. Simple Breath Stacking. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlgeRoI5vCw[last accessed 25/3/2020]
