Did you know a Speech Pathologist can help you breathe easier? COPD and difficulty breathing is one of the biggest reasons someone might go to the hospital. If your shortness of breath is getting in the way of accomplishing your goals, speaking, eating, drinking, or walking please call.
Breathing/Swallowing connection:
People with COPD have a higher risk of respiratory infection (pneumonia) because of getting short of breath while eating or drinking. When we swallow at a meal, we need to hold our breath for a bit, over and over again. This can lead to getting short of breath quickly or by the end of the meal. Those that are short of breath are more likely to inhale their food or drink because their bodies are hungry for air and cannot coordinate the breathe -swallow cycle.
Breathing/Swallowing connection:
People with COPD have a higher risk of respiratory infection (pneumonia) because of getting short of breath while eating or drinking. When we swallow at a meal, we need to hold our breath for a bit, over and over again. This can lead to getting short of breath quickly or by the end of the meal. Those that are short of breath are more likely to inhale their food or drink because their bodies are hungry for air and cannot coordinate the breathe -swallow cycle.