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Pursed lip breathing

Pursed lip breathing

Overview

How to do pursed lip breathing. 1. Breathe in (inhale) slowly through your nose for 2 counts. 2. Feel your belly gets larger as you breathe in. 3. Pucker your lips, as if you were going to whistle or blow out a candle. 4. Breathe out (exhale) slowly through your lips for 4 or more counts. 5. Exhale normally. Do not force air out. Do not hold your breath when you are doing pursed lip breathing. 6. Repeat these steps until your breathing slows.

Review Date 2/3/2024

Updated by: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.