Can abdominal breathing reduce the risk of pneumonia?
Feb 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
In general, diaphragmatic breathing can help reduce the risk of pneumonia to some extent, but it cannot completely prevent it. Although diaphragmatic breathing may serve as an auxiliary measure in lowering pneumonia risk, it is not a complete preventive method. At the same time, to further reduce the likelihood of developing pneumonia, it is important to keep warm in daily life and avoid getting chilled. Additionally, one should quit smoking and engage in regular physical exercise.
Generally speaking, diaphragmatic breathing can reduce the risk of pneumonia to some extent, but it cannot provide complete prevention. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Diaphragmatic breathing deepens and slows down respiration, allowing the lungs to expand and contract more fully, which helps enhance lung function and increase vital capacity. By increasing lung capacity, more alveoli participate in respiratory activities, enabling greater oxygen intake and delivery throughout the body. By exercising the diaphragm, diaphragmatic breathing improves respiratory efficiency and pulmonary ventilation, helping reduce the incidence of cardiopulmonary diseases. Additionally, by enhancing respiratory function and lung capacity, it helps lower the likelihood of lung infections, including pneumonia.
Although diaphragmatic breathing may assist in reducing the risk of pneumonia, it cannot fully prevent it. To further reduce the risk of developing pneumonia, it is important to maintain warmth in daily life and avoid getting chilled. Smoking should also be avoided, and regular physical exercise should be performed to strengthen physical fitness and improve immunity.
