Why do patients with COPD prefer to exhale slowly?

Patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) prefer to exhale slowly primarily to avoid forced air expulsion. In COPD, the airflow is obstructed, making it difficult for patients to exhale effectively. By exhaling slowly, patients can better manage their breathing and prevent the feeling of air trapping or inadequate exhalation. This technique helps them maintain better control over their breathing patterns and reduces the discomfort associated with rapid or forced breathing, which can exacerbate their symptoms.

Choosing to exhale slowly allows them to utilize their respiratory muscles more efficiently and avoid the complications that might arise from hurried breaths, such as hypercapnia (increased carbon dioxide levels) or hypoxia (decreased oxygen levels). This approach is a compensatory mechanism to improve gas exchange and overall respiratory function in the context of compromised lung capacity.