So that it's not thought of as all fun and games

As I write this article it is the middle of the month of March. All things considered compared to previous years I have had a good winter season. If it all continues and I should not have reason to make a visit to the Hospital because of complications from Pneumonia, it will be the first time in approximately 7 years.

For a period of about 4 years I was over medicated with Steroids to enhance my lung functions. The downside of this is that it also made me overly sensitive to germ bugs and the result was generally Pneumonia.

To perhaps shed some light on the importance of this, when you become afflicted with this disease in one of its many forms, your life becomes one very basic important task. Breathing.

During a "bad" day your lungs cannot process the air you breathe in to convert the Oxygen your body needs to function properly. In the most basic sense, you are in a constant situation akin to drowning. The only difference you are not submerged in water...but air. Every effort you make is toward getting the oxygen into your blood stream to let you function. Any action you take...a step, raising your arm, talking, uses Oxygen, and if you try to do to many things at once, you go into what is called a SOB (Shortness of Breath)

SOB is aggravated by the bodies inability to exhale all of the Carbon Monoxide (CO2) that build up in the diseased lungs. As these levels of CO2 increase you actually have less area for clean fresh air to be taken in, thus producing the needed Oxygen for your blood stream. Adrenalin in your body is released and you find yourself in a state of near panic because you can not breathe.

There are methods to correct or reduce this situation and most of it rests with in your mind and body control. There are specific breathing techniques that will allow you to get rid of more of the bad air (CO2)

You must concentrate on slowing down your breathing. Focus on taking a normal breath of air, through your nose, into your lungs, and follow that by exhaling through your mouth, in a slow deliberate manner, for approximately 2 times as long as you did in breathing in. Usually it is recommended that you Purse your lips slightly. during the exhaling cycle. This action will slow the air being exhaled, but also put a slight pressure on the lungs thus forcing the air sacs to open fully thus helping release the CO2 being retained.

I have gone through countless attacks such as this and can say that by following these guidelines I have been able to return to a more normal breathing pattern in a very short time.
The biggest thing which I have found over the years is that when this happens all my concentration is on doing what I have outlined here to you.

In these conditions you must take control of yourself. Understand that in all most all cases you will not die from them. While you may feel this sense of urgency, it is one of the scariest positions to be in. But you can control it. Soon you will feel yourself to relax and then go back to your life.