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Noses, odours and memories

A recent article that I was made aware of through social networking has found that breathing through the nose significantly increased memory recognition. Olfactory sensory neurons detect the pressure created by the airflow into the nose and send this on via the olfactory bulb and on to the hippocampus, an important centre for memory function in the brain. In lay terms what does this mean?

  • nose breathing enhances the encoding and retrieval of memories
  • core brain functions can be impacted by breathing patterns

What this is leading to clinically is in the hands of researchers but I for one like the fact that as  I teach breath management that promotes nose intake over mouth I find it a wonderful thought that perhaps I am positively influencing the patients olfactory senses and strengthening memory pathways to the brain’s heart, the hippocampus.

In older age memory is something that is an important part of who we are as individuals so next time you are out smelling the roses take a moment longer to really breath in through your nose and strengthen those neural pathways that keep our happy memories alive.

Occupational Therapy Week 2019!!

It is Occupational Therapy Week!!

The age old question of what is an OT has had much written about but to keep it simple after 24 years of being an occupational therapist the easiest way is to ask you: Do you do activity? Is illness or disability preventing you from doing this activity on a regular basis? If you answered yes to both these questions then an OT can help you.

There are many different types of OT’s as there are many people doing different activities affected with many different types of illnesses and disabilities. 

I focus on breathlessness and fatigue in pulmonary and cardiac conditions.

I have heard my patients blame old age when I first see them and then they always say “But I’m 80 something (or 90 something), it’s too late you can’t do anything for me”.

We start talking to find the root source of their breathlessness and I then assess their movements and breathing as they do a simple house chore. With my findings we begin to explore new ways for them to manage. They start to see how they can make things easier and keep doing the activities they find rewarding for longer than they anticipated.

I think that is priceless.

The Humble Dressing Stick

Recently I met with a patient who was frustrated over her difficulty in removing a pair of trousers with ankle elastic. Breathlessness and inability to bend for sustained time was the source of anxiety. There sitting on the shelf unnoticed and looking rather understated was the dressing stick awaiting its moment of glory.

Sliding it down directly over the heel through the pant leg and with a slight raise of the bent knee was all it took to remove the offending piece of clothing.

We all like to be independent and manage things without resorting to aids but take a moment and consider the humbleness of this simple stick with a hook and give it the glory due. No matter your age, this stick can make your life just a little simpler.

From the Horses Mouth

A recent Lung Foundation Seminar at Chermside had two lovely ladies give their knowledgable tips on coping with chronic breathlessness. Thank you to Lyn McDade and Joanne Smith! Have a try of these top 10:

  1. Understand your limits by listening to your body
  2. Go gently on difficult days but keep going.
  3. Connect with peers, friends and support groups
  4. Stress management and meditation
  5. Avoid foods that increase inflammatory responses in the body
  6. Complimentary medicine pathways
  7. Quiet Time and Prayer
  8. Exercise – walk groups, yoga, massage, hydrotherapy
  9. Self care as a prevention tool – layering for cold sensitivity
  10. Avoid ill acquaintances and high risk situations – busy crowds in flu season!

Asthma Week 2018

Asthma Week this year is about busting myths and getting the facts out there as two thirds of Australians are affected by asthma!

If you:

  • have symptoms more than two days a week
  • use reliever medication more than two days a week
  • do less because of your asthma
  • have symptoms at night or on waking

Then go see your GP for a review as your asthma may not be well controlled.

For asthma support and information call the 1800 ASTHMA Helpline
(1800 278 462)

A Whale of a Time

This is a photo taken (thank you to Tony Kent!) on Fraser island last weekend by a drone. Perfect weather for mum and bub to be doing some relaxed breathing in the shallows.

Have you ever thought about how they breath?

Like us whales have lungs but unlike us they take their air in through their blowhole absorbing up to 90% of the oxygen compared to the 15% we absorb. They are unable to breath through their mouth as they don’t have their trachea/ windpipe connected to their throat like we do.

So next time you are breathing in through your nose and not your mouth for pursed lip breathing, have a thought to the whales that are doing something similar

Retiring Society

Spent the morning at Tricare Mt Gravatt Retirement Village giving a talk on Breath Management and catching up with residents afterwards. Lovely to meet the residents who were talkative, great on the puns and sharing plenty of laughs.

Questions on breathing technique and do we avoid certain movements or modify were the hot topics for the morning.

Thank you for a lovely morning!

Breath Management Class at Local General Medical Practice

I recently ran a breath class at a local medical practice for the purpose of increasing community awareness about breathlessness, how it affects us and how we can manage it. Evaluations were positive as they found many things to relate to and many other things to learn and practice. A great way to engage people that are hesitant to join a regular program in a larger health service.

Pressure Points

On 17 may it was World Hypertension Day. The Heart Foundation is encouraging people to ‘know your numbers’.
“Blood pressure does naturally vary, but a reading under 120/80 is considered optimal. Readings over 120/80 mmHg and up to 139/89 mmHg are in the normal to high normal range. The reading measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart pumps (120) and when it relaxes between each beat (80).”
These are numbers to consider seriously!
Go to : www.heartfoundation.org.au/y…/know-your-risks/blood-pressure?

Simple things such as regular exercise, moderation in diet, watching your cholesterol and salt, good sleep, and quit smoking are great places to start.