CAPE TOWN- An American allergist says that some of the best techniques which could aid recovery from a respiratory infection like Covid-19 include breathing exercises and lying on your stomach.
Dr Jonathan Bayuk from Massachusetts who is also a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) says that it is important to practice breathing techniques even if you aren’t sick to prepare your lungs for anything that might happen.
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Practise breathing techniques
While there are many techniques to expand your lungs, Bayuk suggests a simple breathing exercise that one can do even before getting sick.
He says to take a deep breath in, hold it for 5 seconds and then breathe out. Repeat this 5 times and afterwards try coughing with no one nearby.
Try to keep moving
Bayuk says that if a person does contract Covid-19 they need to move around as much as possible and avoid being bedbound.
“The way our lungs work is that most of it is located in the back part of our torso. When you get sick the tendency is to want to lay down and lay on your back and wait to get better. Unfortunately with this particular virus that’s not good because it can get into the back parts of your lungs which make them weaker and more compromised,” he said.
Lay down on your stomach
Bayuk says some hospitals in the States have been doing well in keeping patients off of ventilators by putting them on their stomachs.
“Our lungs when you’re quiet they’ll collapse on themselves and when that happens the virus can go crazy inside your lungs and cause a lot more damage.
Keep hydrated
“Viruses don’t do as well when you're hydrated,” said Bayuk. In order to fight the virus the body needs enough fluids.
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